Airlines to Offer Wifi Connections on Flights

The airlines are FINALLY getting with it. First it was the airports that were slow to get wireless connectivity in their airports for the traveling business people and now the airlines are going to offer wireless internet connections on premium flights.

United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta are all going to offer wifi service on their flights. The wifi connections are probably going to cost a little bit of money but if any of you have been as frustrated as I have that I could not access the internet in the air you’ll be willing to pay a solid amount just to be able to get work done. The wireless service will be based off of the aircell telephone technologies that were introduced to airplanes about 15 years ago.
Southwest Airlines is in the meantime looking into offering a satellite based internet connection. While they have not unleashed any official plans to bring internet connections to the air they are in the process of testing.

Obviously with 9/11 and the collapse of the air travel industry following those events, it wasn’t high on the priority list. But in this fast paced world of constant communication it is about time that they got some connections to their airplanes.

The pricing structure will likely be similar to some major airports in the country which are based on a per flight connection rate. The price is not yet known but it would seem to me they would be able to make their money back in ticket sales and added flight value in a very short amount of time.

My best bet would be that they will charge around $5 per flight to use the internet. I love and have to be connected at all times, so to me that is a fair price, but for the shorter flights that might be a bit steep. Either way, I am extremely excited about the news and I am betting that all of you are as well.