AirAsia has begun testing its in-flight Wi-Fi in preparation for the roll-out of the service by the end of this year. Instant messaging, email, and content steaming will gradually be available for flights with the AK flight code. AirAsia has been slow to adopt the technology, though CEO Tony Fernandes says the budget carrier has spent the last five years working to develop its own affordable Wi-Fi service. The AirAsia Wi-Fi product is more cost efficient and passes on a better value to consumers, says Fernandes. For the next two months AirAsia will allow 60 guests per flight to test the new service before its eventual launch. Based on initial tests though, passengers can rest easy knowing instant messaging services such as Line, Whatsapp, and Wechat will work aboard AirAsia flights.

For more information, visit AirAsia.