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.
Related on World Hum:
* The Art of Mileage Running
* Coming Soon: Japanese Bidet Toilets at 30,000 Feet
Photo by Mr.mt via Flickr, (Creative Commons).
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Terry Ward is a Florida-based writer and a long-time contributor to World Hum.
Eva 08.09.07 | 2:35 PM ET
Hmmm… I’m with you, Terry - weighing the ability to get some work done against the enjoyment of a rare few hours of isolation from media, email, etc.
It’s standard practice during playoff season for Air Canada pilots to radio in for the score in a big hockey game and then announce it to the passengers - I think I might miss the communal cheers/groans, but then again I’d also really like to watch the game from the air…
Mika 08.12.07 | 11:59 PM ET
I’m skeptical. It’s not like this is the first time in-flight internet has been offered - remember Connexion by Boeing. This smells a lot like Panasonic ‘s Connexion replacement that was supposed to be out a while ago. Let’s see if they can actually deliver, and if it actually sticks around. I’d be one to use it almost every time I fly unless I have to pay $20 for it.