- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
Comments (5)
Print
Save/ShareCan it be that full-fledged, wireless internet connections are going to be a working reality on airplanes soon? This summer Southwest, American, Alaska, JetBlue, and Lufthansa all plan on testing new configurations that will allow laptop-toting passengers to engage in copious IMing, surfing, YouTubing, and emailing.
It's true that Wi-Fi-like systems have been tried before. Boeing outfitted planes with one back in 2006. Unfortunately, not many passengers were willing to give airlines the $20-$30 they were charging, and the service was dropped by the end of that year.
Newer systems are lighter, take less time to install, and cost passengers less—probably somewhere around $10 per flight. And unlike the earlier systems, the new breed will support Internet use through BlackBerrys and other smartphones as well as laptops.
Airlines see the service as yet another add-on that will get their captive audience to open wallets a little wider. As Amy Cravens, an analyst, put it to the LA Times, "There is a broad effort in the airline industry to create ancillary revenue.... This is being accomplished by turning the airline cabin into a 'flying merchandise mart,' which is in effect changing passenger perception and willingness to purchase additional products in flight."
At least in this phase, cell phones won't work on these systems. However, airlines haven't yet decided whether or not to allow voice- and video-over-Internet sites through their systems—so you may have to brace yourself for lots of random Skype calls being made in the air.
EARLIER
JetBlue offers free Wi-Fi on some flights
The unintended effects of in-flight Wi-Fi
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.
Clearly a $10 price tag for internet throughout the flight is a better value than $4 sodas or crackers that give you pleasure for only 5-10 minutes.
Posted By Megan Sterritt on June 18, 2008, 1:13 PM
I am against Wi-Fi use in airplanes. Everyday we are bombarded with someone yakking away on their cell phone. I am a cell phone user but I don't understand why some people just couldn't give themselves and everyone else a break for the duration of a flight. Some users don't even have the courtesy to turn their phones off or to silent when in a church or a theater, happened to me and my son today, or in a restaurant when others are trying to have a conversation. Imagine 75 to maybe a couple of hundred passengers all on their phones at the same time. Air travel currently has enough hassles without the person/s in the seat/s near you talking on their phone for a two to three hour flight. If they want cell phone use in airplanes it should be in a separate section in the aircraft with some isolation from the rest of the passengers, sort of like first/business class.
Posted By Laird on June 19, 2008, 11:12 PM
I'm all-for WI-FI on planes! For a long enough flight, I'd pay the $$. My husband frequently has to work on a flight, and this would help him.
And Laird, this doesn't mean cell phones would be used! This is for computers! I don't want cell phones on planes, either.
Posted By lisa brothman on June 20, 2008, 10:22 AM
the thing about having internet access on airplanes is that people can still use voice chats. It would be like some one chatting on their cell phone the entire time, which is very annoying.
Posted By Esra on December 4, 2008, 10:03 AM
You people are ridiculous. You make it seem like because airlines sell wifi (for $10 at that) that everyone is going to pull their computers out and talk on Skype the whole time. $10 for access to the Internet for a couple of hours isn't a bargain for most people anyway, and how is someone talking on the phone any different than two people sitting right next to each other talking on a plane?
Way to make a mountain out of a mole hill. ;]
Obviously I think wifi on planes is a good thing. Not that I fly much myself, but for people who need to stay connected and don't mind spending the extra cash have the option to.
Posted By Chris on April 9, 2009, 7:25 PM