Delta, following the lead of its competitors, has announced plans to rollout wireless broadband internet access on all its domestic mainline fleet by mid-2009.
"Delta is joining with Aircell®, a 17-year leader in airborne communications for business and commercial aviation, to install the company’s Mobile Broadband Network on the carrier’s domestic fleet. The system, Gogo™, will enable Delta customers traveling with Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs, to access the Internet, corporate VPNs, corporate and personal e-mail accounts, as well as SMS texting and instant messaging services. Gogo will be available to customers for a flat fee of $9.95 on flights of three hours or less, and $12.95 on flights of more than three hours.
“Delta remains committed to providing a travel experience that maximizes the time our customers spend with us onboard by offering them even more productivity options,” said Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer. ”Our customers asked for in-flight connectivity, and we’re responding by rolling out the most extensive Wi-Fi network in the sky. Beginning this fall, our passengers will have the ability to stay connected when they travel with us throughout the continental U.S.”Gogo will be offered initially on Delta’s fleet of 133 MD88/90 aircraft and will rapidly expand to the remaining domestic fleet of more than 200 Boeing 737, 757 and 767-300 aircraft throughout the first half of 2009. The airline expects to have more than 330 aircraft complete by summer 2009. The full fleet agreement between Aircell and Delta will provide a consistent, convenient experience for customers traveling on the airline who wish to use the Gogo Internet service."
Here is the original article from Delta’s News Room. By the way, American has already started this service on their 767-200 fleet; here is a review of the service by WSJ reporter Walt Mossberg.
Based on the following email, it looks like broadband is coming to an airline near you. A co-worker mentioned Southwest and JetBlue will also be providing broadband access for transcontinental flights.
American Will Be The First U.S. Airline To Launch Aircell’s Real-time Broadband Connectivity
American Airlines is committed to enhancing the travel experience for its customers as the first aircraft installation of the Aircell® Internet broadband connectivity solution has been completed. American, which will be the first U.S. airline to offer customers Aircell’s Internet broadband solution, plans on additional installations and testing of the technology in 2008 on all 15 of its Boeing 767-200 aircraft that primarily fly transcontinental routes.
Aircell’s exclusive air-to-ground broadband system will provide customers with an Internet connection, VPN (virtual private network) access, and e-mail capabilities through all Wi-Fi-enabled laptops, PDAs and portable gaming devices. Customers will experience speeds similar to wireless, mobile, broadband services on the ground
After testing and certification is completed, customer benefits will also include:
• Complimentary access to AA.com including services such as gates and times, fares and AAdvantage information, • Access to the Wall Street Journal Digest Edition, • Compatibility with VPNs used to access corporate intranets and exchange email, • And seamless coverage over the continental U.S. above 10,000 feet.
Aircell will offer the connectivity solution to American Airlines customers in all classes of service on the B767-200 aircraft for a fee.
The jet engine puts me to sleep, but for those of you who need your online fix even in the air. There’s hope in your future.
I’m slightly spoiled with my ubiquitous wireless access thanks to my EVDO connection. If you haven’t jumped on the EVDO train and you travel every week, I suggest you bring it up in the next company meeting. Sitting in the airport waiting for your plane to arrive doesn’t have quite the same sting if you can busy yourself with news, sports, YouTube, email, and everything else available with a wireless connection.
For those of you without EVDO connections, HotelChatter just completed their assessment of the best hotel chains of 2007 for free WiFi.
It looks like Marriott came ahead thanks to the free WiFi offered in their less expensive properties (Courtyard, Residence Inn, etc.). Personally, I’d rather have a nice bed than free wireless. Marriott is obviously targeting a different customer segment with their free WiFi. The only other properties I recognized as possibilities for the business traveler, besides the Marriott, were The W and The Omni and their free WiFi was limited to the lobby areas. That really just narrows it down to the Marriott low end properties for business travelers. If you’re staying at the W or the Omni and you’re on a business trip – you’re not likely traveling on a weekly basis and paying $9.95 / night isn’t really a big expense.
As a Marriott Platinum Member, I usually enjoy free internet access regardless of the Marriott. I’m sure most memberships programs offer the same benefits at the top levels.
Still, having a high-speed wireless connection at your disposal can’t be a bad thing so check it out.
UPDATED 03/21/2010: Updated links to coverage maps
If you haven’t jumped on the 3G bandwagon, you’re missing out. Spend your unexpected delays finishing up things you have to do, so you have more time to do things you want to do. It’s not like you have too many choices when sitting in an airport terminal or cab.
All the major carriers offer some version of broadband access over the 3G network, usually focused in heavily populated cities across the states. If you’re heading somewhere less populated, you can check ahead to see what type of broadband coverage to expect.
Follow the links and save yourself the trouble of digging through the carrier websites:
Verizon happened to include a coverage map without the need to supply a zipcode.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for reliable and ubiquitous broadband access regardless of where you are. Until then, it’s all about the coverage maps.