Vodafone $5 roaming now works in-flight

By Dylan Crismale

Last updated 26 October 2023

Vodafone's popular $5 roaming deal is extending from the ground to 20,000 feet in the sky, with a new in-flight roaming service.

With the offer, postpaid mobile customers will be able to make calls, text, browse and stream in standard definition when travelling overseas on select airlines, using their included data allowance.

For a flat $5 charge you can access roaming for 24 hours. This means you can now access roaming once the pilot removes the seatbelt sign and have it working already when you land.

The bad news is, that you can't expect fast speeds when in flight. Vodafone says customers will receive 3G-like download and upload speeds with the technology enabled by satellite.

Vodafone's $5 in-flight roaming is available from participating international airlines including but not limited to:

Cathay Pacific
Emirates
Etihad Airways
Lufthansa
Malaysia Airlines
Singapore Airlines

In-flight and international charges are a pain that's all too familiar for Aussie travellers.

Data charges are one thing (although some airlines now have free in-flight WiFi) but text and in-flight calls are another problem altogether. Singapore Airlines offers one-hour of WiFi access from USD$3.99 but in-flight text and calls are charged at the discretion of your mobile provider.

Qantas (which doesn't offer Vodafone's $5 roaming) provides some examples. Texts and calls from a Qantas A380 aircraft are charged at US$1.90 for each message sent and received, and US$5 per minute of call time. If you had to make say, an hour-long call to deal with an emergency back home in Australia you'd be looking at a bill of AU$476.94 (based on current exchange rates).

Vodafone Group Consumer Executive, Kieran Cooney said “We have customers joining Vodafone every day who are sick of the great roaming rip-off. Whether you’re in another country or on your way there, Vodafone is working hard to help you stay connected and save money."

On the ground, $5 roaming uses your included data allowance. If you go over your allowance, Vodafone charges you $5 for another 1GB of data. Vodafone's roaming is available in over 100 countries.

You can see Vodafone's postpaid SIM-only plans here:

#1	Vodafone	Vodafone $49 Small SIM Only Plan 100GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 100GB for $39 (incl. 50GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $49 Small plan. T&Cs apply. $39/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#2	Vodafone	Vodafone $59 Medium SIM Only Plan 360GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 360GB for $49 (incl. 180GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $59 Medium plan. T&Cs apply. $49/mth Min. cost $49 Go to Site	$49/mth Min. cost $49	Go to Site
#3	Vodafone	Vodafone $69 Large SIM Only Plan 720GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 720GB for $59 (incl. 360GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $69 Large plan. T&Cs apply. $59/mth Min. cost $59 Go to Site	$59/mth Min. cost $59	Go to Site

While in the past Vodafone was the undisputed king of international roaming, options are slowly getting better. Optus offers 5GB of data for 24 hours for $5 and amaysim has a range of add-ons that have 365-day expiry from $20.

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