US airlines introducing Wi-Fi

A number of airlines in the USA are to begin offering Wi-Fi access to their passengers, reports CNN.

American Airlines, Delta, Virgin Atlantic and Southwest Airlines are some of the major firms which have struck agreements with broadband providers, it adds, in a move which could improve passenger services forever.

Delta has said that its internet service from Aircell will soon be available on around 60 per cent of its seats a day, providing access to the web for PDAs, smartphones, laptops and other devices.

Passengers will be informed of when the plane has reached 10,000 ft and given approval of the pilot to turn their gadgets on and connect to the net.

The option will be charged at a flat fee of $9.95 for short flights and $12.95 on longer trips, announced Delta.

Aircell president Jack Blumenstein said: "The advent of Air-To-Ground technology has made broadband connectivity in the cabin economically viable for the first time for commercial airlines."

The development is not just restricted to the USA as Australia-based airline Qantas also recently announced that it would be providing internet access on all of its new planes next year.

Posted by Carrie, 06 August 2008 17:04

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• Delta