In-Flight Internet Likely Coming Next Year

Travel Blog • Terry Ward • 08.09.07 | 11:47 AM ET

While I’m just as keen to check my inbox as the next traveler, I’ve always relished that time in transit when logging on simply isn’t an option. But the days of Internet-free air travel are numbered. If all goes according to plan, writes USA Today’s Roger Yu, travelers will be able to shop on eBay and answer e-mail at 30,000 feet as early as 2008. The service is not expected to be widely offered until 2009 and later.

Most airlines will implement the service with a per-flight fee, and passengers will sign on wirelessly. Several Internet companies are vying to offer the services, and a handful of major carriers are already on board.

Writes Yu:

American Airlines (AMR) said last week that it’ll work with Colorado-based AirCell to offer the service in 2008. And German carrier Lufthansa last week chose T-Mobile International as the provider of its in-flight Internet service, scheduled to begin early next year.

Other carriers hoping to launch the service next year include Qatar Airways, Qantas and Southwest.

The more I think about it, the more I like it.

Just imagine how getting some work done—or downloading a language-instruction show from iTunes—will make those transatlantic hours fly by.

Photo by Mr.mt via Flickr, (Creative Commons).