Delta Air Lines announced that they would begin to install WiFi on over 330 aircraft in their mainline domestic fleet. Delta will team up with AirCell on the new deal, an airborne communications company (that makes mobile broadband network), and will begin installing the equipment on Delta aircraft in 2009. The system is named GoGo, and will allow customers with laptops, PDAs, Smartphones, etc to access the internet and send SMS text messages. The carrier will charge customers $9.95 for use for flights under 3 hours, and $12.95 for flights greater than 3 hours. This makeover will begin with Delta’s MD-88 / MD-90 series of aircraft, and later move on the 737, 757 and 767 aircraft.
Other carriers such as American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Virgin America have tested or will test such systems in the new future. It was expected that American Airlines parent AMR Corp. would roll out AirCell’s Gogo system in their aircraft, but it has yet to happen. Other airlines in Europe, such as Germany’s Lufthansa, have pioneered airline travel by using WiFi in-flight.
I think we’ll see other carriers implement this technology. Although it may be pricey, it’s something that everyone wants. With Entertainment monitors, everyone could just bring their iPods and hence US Airways removed their IFE. However passengers cannot bring WiFi with them onboard a plane, and I think this move by Delta will bring in some revenue for both the carrier and AirCell.
Image: flickr.com
