In-flight Internet finally taking off in US
Several American airlines have started taking the first steps towards offering airline Internet service.
JetBlue was the most recent to offer free e-mail and instant messaging services on one of its aircraft. American Airlines, Virgin and Alaska Airlines also plan to offer Web surfing in the next few months, according to wire services.
In-flight Internet access is finally taking off in the United States.
.°I think 2008 is the year when we will finally start to see in-flight Internet access become available, but I suspect the rollout domestically will take place in a very measured way,” said Henry Harteveldt, an analyst with Forrester Research. He added:
“In a few years time if you get on a flight that doesn’t have Internet access, it will be like walking into a hotel room that doesn’t have TV.”
The goal is to let passengers use their laptops or smart phones to download e-mail and surf the Web as they would at any wireless hotspot on the ground.
During JetBlue’s initial trial, which will only involve one aircraft, passengers traveling with Wi-Fi equipped laptops will be able to access Yahoo e-mail accounts and Yahoo’s Messenger service, while those with Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerrys will be able to download their e-mail.
Virgin America, for one, even plans to link the technology to its seat-back entertainment system, enabling passengers who are not traveling with their own hardware to send and receive messages on a flight.
While the technology could allow travelers to make phone calls over the Internet, most carriers say they currently have no plans to allow voice communications. Many travelers find the prospect of phone calls much less palatable than having a seatmate quietly surf the Web.
“That is one of those things just because you can doesn’t mean you should types of technologies,” Mr. Harteveldt said.
“The last thing you want is to be in a crowded tube at 35,000 feet for two or three hours with some guy going on and on about his trip to Vegas.,” he added.
Report by David Wilkening
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