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Comments (16)
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Save/ShareIn the next couple of years, American Airlines will expand in-flight, Wi-Fi Internet access to roughly 300 of its planes. It will charge up to $13 for Web surfing and e-mailing on a laptop for flights longer than 3 hours, though only $8 for using a smartphone like a Blackberry. Your flight will probably have the service if you're flying on an MD-80 aircraft because those planes will be outfitted with the technology first. You can check your e-ticket to see if you'll be flying on an MD-80 aircraft.
Delta Air Lines has Wi-Fi available on about 80 planes already and plans to roll out the service to more than 300 planes later this year.
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Southwest Airlines has been testing wi-fi on 4 of its a/c over the last couple of months. Currently, there is no charge to customers during this test phase..no word on "if" or what the charge will be if all of the a/c are equipped with this service after the test phase is complete.
Posted By Jayme Camilleri on April 2, 2009, 11:57 AM
I'd pay for WiFi access on long flights especially. This is a much better idea than allowing cell phone use on planes. It's silent but allows you to keep in touch and work if you need to. I hope all the airlines provide Internet access.
Posted By Lesley Shone on April 2, 2009, 1:00 PM
I'd love to have Wi-fi access while flying, but I don't think we should have to pay extra for the service. It's become pretty common to find free Wi-fi at various shops, hotels, and airports. If it was a common practice that places charged for Wi-fi access, then I would expect the airlines to do the same. However, other businesses offer it as a 'free' incentive so I don't see why airlines can't do the same.
Posted By Evelyn on April 2, 2009, 1:15 PM
Well airports charge for wifi...so I can see why airlines would also...maybe the airports and the airlines could work together so that you don't have to pay twice to get internet access...also if they have more income that means that don't have to ask for bailout money
Posted By Amanda on April 2, 2009, 3:12 PM
No way airlines would put in Wi-Fi and not charge for it. For a 6 hour flight, NY to LA, $13 would be worth it for me.
Posted By Brian from nodebtworldtravel.com on April 2, 2009, 3:59 PM
No, I wouldn't pay. "Surfing the net" is a diversion during travel, not a necessity of life. It can wait till I arrive at my destination. If you're desperate for entertainment, bring a book or a couple magazines. Furthermore, some airports already offer internet access free. All I ask of the airline is to get me and my luggage to my destination safely and on time and to provide its service without a snarl.
Posted By Daniel J. Vandeberg on April 2, 2009, 4:47 PM
I would totally pay for it on a flight even longer than 3 hours....the movies they show on on those planes are next to awful so it'd be nice to be able to do what I want on my computer. I think $13 is a little steep but I'd say it.
Posted By Caitlin Buehler on April 2, 2009, 8:09 PM
Uh, Daniel Vandenberg, SOME of us WORK during our flights - because we kinda need to. You can read your comic books since YOU are so desperate for ...geeez, you fill in the blank. I would pay (but more inclined to avoid paying for Wifi) and would rather pre-pay with my ticket than after departure.
Posted By tommyflorida on April 2, 2009, 9:20 PM
I would happily pay $13 for internet access. Every time. In fact, I would go out of my way to choose an airline and flight that offers wifi over one that doesn't even if the price is a little higher and the times are not as convenient.
Why? Because 3 or 6 or whatever hours spent online on the plane are 3 or 6 or whatever hours I get BACK of my life when I am not on the plane -- to do things I couldn't do on the plane.
Posted By nathan on April 2, 2009, 9:27 PM
#1. I'd pay to have people NOT use cellphones on airplanes.
#2. I'd pay for a decent amount of space aka legroom, shoulder room, elbow room.
#3. I'd pay to NOT be held on the runway for hours
#4. I'd pay to receive complete, courteous, timely information about departures, delays, arrangements.
#5. I'd pay to NOT dread every time I have to fly.
NO, I could not care an iota about having computers operate on an airplane.
Geez. What a stupid reverse order of priorities.
Posted By ted on April 2, 2009, 9:44 PM
NO! So they can talk so loud they annoy the rest of the plane. Enough.
Posted By Phyllis Landis on April 2, 2009, 9:47 PM
Yes I'd pay. Anything to not be bored. Why do some people care about what others enjoy for entertainment??
Posted By Anna on April 3, 2009, 1:02 AM
i recently read an article regarding wi-fi system installation along with any extra wiring done in airplanes, can be a source of overheating/electrical fires on board !! I agree with another comment written, rather have leg room!
Posted By barb on April 3, 2009, 9:00 AM
Good news/bad news. Interesting but not heartwarming that the MD80 series is getting it first on both AA and DL. Why? Shame, because that indicates that they expect the MD80 to be around quite a while longer, despite customer dissatisfaction, and Boeing ceasing production when they took McDonnell Douglas. On the other hand, it provides distraction to the masses who can spare ~$15 with tax on the uncomfortable, claustrophobic plane.
Also, it's ironic that Southwest is going with satellite while the international airlines are not.
Posted By FirewindII on April 3, 2009, 9:06 AM
Yes to both-Thanks to the airlines for offering this service, as cost is not a factor.
Posted By Richie on April 3, 2009, 12:37 PM
You know what would be nice? If American would fix their @#*$ planes. It's one thing to have wifi, it's another thing to sit in the airport while yet another flight gets canceled because American's battered fleet can't get off the ground. Stuffing a router in the cabin is an odd choice given how many other things American needs to fix.
Posted By pam on April 5, 2009, 10:56 AM