The airline industry is forging ahead, despite tough
times due to rising gas costs. Boeing is preparing its hot
new 787 Dreamliners and Airbus
is currently producing its A380 jumbo jets.
Now there's exciting news for travelers from Delta Airlines. Delta, which
offers the most destinations of any world airline with 312
destinations in 61 countries, is rolling out a special surprise for its
customers. No, it's not cell phone usage -- cell phone use is still
banned on its planes during flight, as per FAA orders.
What it is offering is broadband to all its
customers. The move makes it the only major U.S. airline to offer
broadband Wi-Fi access on its entire domestic mainline fleet. Such
service is typically a luxury class only item, if offered at all. The
service will be available for a flat fee of $9.95 on
flights of three hours or less, and $12.95 on flights of more than three
hours.
Delta is partnering with airborne communications leader
Aircell to offer the service. The new service will be named
"Gogo" and will provide service to users’ laptops, cell phones, or
PDAs. All 330 mainline aircraft in the U.S. will be receiving the
service. The first to get it will be 133 MD88/90 aircraft. From
there, it will be installed on the remaining 200 Boeing 737, 757 and 767-300
aircraft throughout the first half of 2009.
By the summer of 2009, Delta plans to have the service
complete. Says Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer,
"Delta remains committed to providing a travel experience that maximizes
the time our customers spend with us onboard by offering them even more
productivity options. Our customers asked for in-flight connectivity, and
we’re responding by rolling out the most extensive Wi-Fi network in the
sky. Beginning this fall, our passengers will have the ability to stay
connected when they travel with us throughout the continental U.S."
Aircell was selected because its technology is ultra-light
and requires relatively little space. Aircell also offers rapid overnight
installation. Jack Blumenstein, President and CEO, Aircell states,
"The advent of Air-To-Ground (ATG) technology has made broadband
connectivity in the cabin economically viable for the first time for commercial
airlines."
The company's new networks is based on the frequency it won
exclusive rights to from the FCC in 2006.