Tag: passengers

Ookla: Onboard Train Connectivity Across Europe

Ookla has analyzed country-level train Wi-Fi performance across Europe and Asia, using Speedtest Intelligence

Europe and Asia’s rail networks, long heralded as a backbone of economic competitiveness, are now judged not only on punctuality and comfort but on the quality of the digital experience onboard. High-quality train Wi-Fi has shifted from nice-to-have to essential rail infrastructure. Commuters expect a home broadband-like experience for streaming, work calls and gaming while crossing the Swiss Alps or skirting Mount Fuji.

Where countries treat train connectivity as rail infrastructure and pair onboard Wi-Fi with rail-specific infrastructure (trackside, LEO satellite or both), everyday outcomes improve measurably for passengers. This study is the first of its kind to use crowdsourced Ookla Speedtest® data to benchmark country-level train Wi-Fi performance across Europe and Asia.

Key Takeaways:

  • The gap separating Europe’s best and worst is startling. In Q2 2025, Sweden set the pace for train Wi-Fi in Europe with a 64.58 Mbps median download, followed by Switzerland (29.79 Mbps) and Ireland (26.33 Mbps). Laggards like Spain (1.45 Mbps), the UK (1.09 Mbps) and the Netherlands (0.41 Mbps) featured the poorest outcomes, with download speeds as much as 158 times slower than top-performing Sweden.
  • Legacy Wi-Fi tech drags many rail networks. Across the European markets studied, nearly two in five connections still run on Wi-Fi 4 (a standard dating to 2009), and ~22% use the lower-capacity, more congestion- and interference-prone 2.4 GHz band. The UK still sees over half of all rail connections on Wi-Fi 4, with 38% on 2.4 GHz. In Poland, rail connections remain almost entirely on Wi-Fi 4 and the 2.4 GHz band.
  • Band and Wi-Fi gen matter, but backhaul is the real bottleneck. Within-country comparisons show substantial uplifts for 5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz (e.g., +328% in Germany) and Wi-Fi 5 vs Wi-Fi 4 (e.g., +241% in Germany). Yet countries that feature a more modern Wi-Fi mix and thus drive greater use of the 5 GHz band, like Spain and Italy, can still underperform on speeds. This demonstrates that backhaul (i.e., the connection between the train’s roof antennas and the public mobile networks), not just cabin Wi-Fi, is the dominant driver of performance.
  • Asian rail networks feature modern Wi-Fi mix and lower latency but are not always faster. Taiwan posted the lowest latency and the only material Wi-Fi 6 share (~20%), while Japan and South Korea showed virtually no legacy Wi-Fi 4 or 2.4 GHz usage. Across Asia, typical median download speeds (6-8 Mbps) cluster below Europe’s leaders but above its laggards, reflecting different policy approaches (i.e., greater emphasis on cellular than Wi-Fi).
  • Policy fingerprints are unmistakable and outweigh topographic and demographic factors. When governments and operators treat mobile networks as core rail infrastructure, and invest in dedicated trackside systems, higher-order MIMO with multi-operator bonded train-mounted antennas, and RF-permeable rolling-stock window retrofits, outcomes improve dramatically.

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AirHelp unveils new benefits in latest update to AirHelp+ memberships

AirHelp, the leading travel tech company supporting passengers with flight disruptions, today announces it has upgraded its popular AirHelp+ (AirHelp Plus) subscription, which now offers two-tiered memberships: Smart and Pro.

AirHelp+ benefits

Where eligible, AirHelp+ Smart and Pro members receive compensation for flight disruptions, luggage claims, and expense claims, without AirHelp charging a fee, ensuring passengers get all the money they are entitled to from the airline. AirHelp+ members will be entitled to 100% of the compensation up to 600 EUR and can receive up to 6,000 EUR for extra costs incurred, as well as up to 1,400 EUR for luggage issues.

All members will have priority around-the-clock assistance through AirHelp’s customer support, and receive enhanced travel communications through flight notifications. AirHelp+ members can also access exclusive deals from AirHelp partners, such as discounts on eSIMs and car rentals, and transfer support.

AirHelp AirPayout insurance gives passengers 100 EUR if they have faced delays of more than three hours, their flight is diverted, or if they face a cancellation less than 28 days before departure. The money will be paid into the registered bank account within hours after provided details and is provided on top of any eligible airline compensation. Members can also benefit from AirLuggage protection/insurance, which pays passengers an additional 100 EUR for lost or delayed luggage, on top of any airline compensation. If passengers experience a cancellation or delay of more than one hour, they can enjoy lounge access* away from crowds for comfort.

Hassle-free compensation

AirHelp has helped 2.3 million passengers claim compensation to date and its network of specialised lawyers is the biggest of any travel tech company globally. Tomasz Pawliszyn, CEO at AirHelp, comments: “We strive to bring passengers the smoothest travel experience possible through providing valuable and relevant benefits to support them when flights are disrupted. With one in four flights delayed, passengers risk losing time and money through disruptions and should be best prepared for when travels do not go according to plan.

“The AirHelp+ memberships have been developed based on an increased focus on the passenger experience, with 6.5 million passengers choosing AirHelp+ protection already. Compensation is no longer enough to make up for lost time and money, and the stress of disruptions. We want to ensure passengers can have the best experience possible – from the moment they arrive at the airport to when they return home after their trip. The new AirHelp+ memberships provide all passengers with the protection, comfort, and assistance they need while ensuring they get the compensation they are owed – without the hassle and management fees.”

Find out more about the AirHelp Plus memberships here.