mail and instant messaging, as well as downloading video. Passengers can use one of three wireless access points on aboard the plane, for a fee varying from $9.95 to $12.95 a flight, depending on the length of the flight. Gogo, as the service has been dubbed, will be reviewed for expansion to 24 other planes by mid-2009, provided that it successfully concludes its week of testing.While internet has always been an interest for many passengers as wireless capabilities expanded on ground, previous systems have been expensive, or with unreliable connections. Currently, JetBlue has a system that has e-mail service that utilizes existing cell phone towers for service - however, this system can only work on flights over land. Due to this, the service Gogo uses, Aircell, is also limited to domestic flights as well. However, many passengers believe this is better than nothing, and therefore the outlook seems to be positive for now.
Various other airlines have released similar plans:
Satellite Based System - Row 44
- Alaska Airlines to test in a Boeing 737 in 2009
- Southwest Airlines to test in 4 aircraft in early 2009
Cell Phone Tower Based System - Gogo
- Air Canada to test in several Airbus A319s in 2009
- Delta Airlines to test by the end of 2008, with expansion to Northwest as well. By 2009, should have 330 aircraft with the system.
Cell Phone Tower Based System - LiveTV
- Continental Airlines to test the system by Summer of 2009
It will be interesting to see if US Airways and United Airlines come up with a plan of their own - even though they have yet to mention any news concerning wireless internet access. But as demand increases, it will only be a few years before wireless internet becomes a standard in all domestic flights across the United States.
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