NewsDude
08-05-2008, 10:00 PM
Airlines have hit fliers with a lot of extra charges these days. They charge for food, drinks and checking bags. JetBlue even said it would dispense with complimentary disposable pillows and start charging $7 for a take-home pillow-and-blanket set.
On Tuesday, however, Delta Airlines announced a service that few people should complain about paying for: Wi-Fi. While a number of other airlines have been trumpeting Internet availability, so far that's been a special service available only in business class and first class. Delta is the first airline to offer Wi-Fi in coach.
The cost will be $9.95 for a flight of three hours or less, or $12.95 for a longer flight. Service will be provided by Aircell, which is also working with American Airlines and Virgin America to provide wireless Internet access. The system, which will be available on all continental flights, will be rolled out by fall, Delta said.
Air-to-Ground Technology
Aircell's Gogo system will allow Wi-Fi-enabled devices -- smartphones and PDAs such as Apple's iPhone and iPod touch, as well as laptops -- to access the Internet and corporate virtual private networks, and perform SMS texting and instant messaging.
The deal signals Delta's commitment to "maximize the time our customers spend with us onboard by offering them even more productivity options," said Delta CEO Richard Anderson. "Our customers asked for in-flight connectivity, and we're responding by rolling out the most extensive Wi-Fi network in the sky."
The boom in Wi-Fi in the air is the result of air-to-ground technology, according to Jack Blumenstein, president and CEO of 17-year-old Aircell. The technology has "made broadband connectivity in the cabin economically viable for the first time for commercial airlines," Blumenstein said. "The game has changed."
Cell-Phone Ban
Aircell's technology not only offers Wi-Fi throughout the cabin, but provides the infrastructure for advanced video, audio, television and other entertainment...
More... (http://www.toptechnews.com/story.xhtml?story_id=61160)
On Tuesday, however, Delta Airlines announced a service that few people should complain about paying for: Wi-Fi. While a number of other airlines have been trumpeting Internet availability, so far that's been a special service available only in business class and first class. Delta is the first airline to offer Wi-Fi in coach.
The cost will be $9.95 for a flight of three hours or less, or $12.95 for a longer flight. Service will be provided by Aircell, which is also working with American Airlines and Virgin America to provide wireless Internet access. The system, which will be available on all continental flights, will be rolled out by fall, Delta said.
Air-to-Ground Technology
Aircell's Gogo system will allow Wi-Fi-enabled devices -- smartphones and PDAs such as Apple's iPhone and iPod touch, as well as laptops -- to access the Internet and corporate virtual private networks, and perform SMS texting and instant messaging.
The deal signals Delta's commitment to "maximize the time our customers spend with us onboard by offering them even more productivity options," said Delta CEO Richard Anderson. "Our customers asked for in-flight connectivity, and we're responding by rolling out the most extensive Wi-Fi network in the sky."
The boom in Wi-Fi in the air is the result of air-to-ground technology, according to Jack Blumenstein, president and CEO of 17-year-old Aircell. The technology has "made broadband connectivity in the cabin economically viable for the first time for commercial airlines," Blumenstein said. "The game has changed."
Cell-Phone Ban
Aircell's technology not only offers Wi-Fi throughout the cabin, but provides the infrastructure for advanced video, audio, television and other entertainment...
More... (http://www.toptechnews.com/story.xhtml?story_id=61160)