The next time I have to fly (which will be never), it looks like there might be another offering from the in-flight entertainment options: Wi-Fi access on Delta’s U.S. planes.
Delta plans to debut Wi-Fi access on some of its planes in a partnership with Aircell’s GoGo internet service, beginning this fall. Wi-Fi access should extend to the entire domestic fleet, which contains over 330 planes, by summer 2009.
According to Delta, its version of GoGo will work via Air-to-Ground technology that bridges wireless connections between planes and ground antennas. Internet access will cost passengers $9.95USD on flights lasting three hours or less. For flights lasting over three hours, the cost will be $12.95USD. Initially, Wi-Fi access will only be available on Delta’s 133 MD88/90 aircraft but will later expand to include Delta’s Boeing 737, 757, and 767-300 aircraft.
Passengers with Wi-Fi-enabled devices will be able to surf the Internet, check email, and have access to instant message, corporate VPN, and text message services. There’s always a catch though, and this time, it’s not that the in-flight movie is Jumper. No, it’s that in-flight telephone calls are still prohibited by federal laws. It’s not like this is SEPTA after all.
