WiFi Now On Board
Passengers have been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to have WiFi services available on domestic flights. The wait is coming to an end. Air Tran leads the pack and is the first U.S. airline to offer this service on all of its flights. On flights under three hours, Air Tran charges $5.95 for access; access to WiFi services on flights more than three hours will cost passengers $9.95.
Some restrictions apply to the service. WiFi user must rely on their own batteries due to lack of power sources on board and VOIP phone services such as Skype are blocked as well. Adult sites are a no-no along with other sites deemed inappropriate. Passengers don’t seen to mind the restrictions and it seems limited access is better than no access at all.
Other airlines are working on how to price the service to cover their costs. First-class passengers may have WiFi as part of their ticket package. This is how Continental plans to offer the service and intends to charge other passengers $6 for access to WiFi.
Southwest Airlines will be joining the ranks of the WiFi equipped airlines sometime in early 2010. Virgin American, Delta, United, and a few other airlines offer the service through Row 44, a company specializing in broadband services for airlines.
