American Air To Roll Out Wi-Fi Service For Domestic Flights
March 30 2009 - 11:31PM
Dow Jones News
American Airlines, a unit of AMR Corp. (AMR), expects to offer
wireless Internet service to most domestic passengers over the next
two years.
Doug Backelin, manager of inflight communications and
technology, said American has successfully completed tests with
Wi-Fi provider Aircell LLC, and this year will equip its fleet of
150 MD-80 aircraft with Gogo, a wireless ground-based Internet
service. The carrier will add service on its Boeing 737-800 fleet
in 2010.
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL), which last year merged with
Northwest Airlines, now has 77 aircraft with Wi-Fi capabilities.
"Customers can expect to have Wi-Fi available on all pre-merger
Delta domestic mainline aircraft late this year, and on pre-merger
Northwest mainline domestic aircraft next year," said spokeswoman
Betsy Talton.
UAL Corp.'s (UAUA) United Airlines said earlier this year it
will begin offering the Aircell service on its transcontinental
flights later in 2009.
Jack Blumenstein, chief executive of Chicago-based Aircell, said
the company is working with a number of U.S. airlines and with Air
Canada(AC.A.T), and plans to expand service across North America
into Mexico. The broadband company places small antennae on
aircraft to communicate with its ground-based network. Air
passengers can access the service when aircraft are flying above
10,000 feet.
Aircell is also looking for ways to offer satellite-based
wireless communication for ocean-crossing flights, but Blumenstein
said that technology faces challenges to provide cost-effective
full Internet access.
The airlines haven't commented on the economics of Aircell,
which costs $12.95 for long flights. American's Backelin said the
airline is investing "very carefully" in customer-friendly
upgrades, and will share revenue with Aircell. The Aircell service
allows customers to surf the Internet, use email, and access
corporate Web sites, using laptops or handheld PDAs. American will
offer wireless service for handheld devices at $7.95 per
flight.
Some other airlines are offering onboard satellite television
that includes a Wi-Fi option for sending email and instant
messages.
-By Ann Keeton; Dow Jones Newswires; 312-750-4120;
ann.keeton@dowjones.com