- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
Comments (21)
Print
Save/ShareSometimes when you're flying at 36,000 feet, you want nothing more than to update your Twitter status, see what hasn't been seen on YouTube, or watch your stock portfolio slowly plummet in real-time.
Virgin America has made that dream a reality by offering the first ever fleet-wide Wi-Fi on any of its 100 daily flights across the U.S.
Although Delta Air Lines has Wi-Fi on about 130 of its aircraft, reports CNNMoney.com, Virgin America's Gogo in-flight Internet is available on its full fleet of 28 planes. Other airlines, such as AirTran, are bucking up to provide Web access to their patrons as well.
Virgin America will cut the red ribbon for this landmark with an air-to-ground Skype video chat with Oprah Winfrey on Thursday, May 21 on her show. But you won't see Oprah handing out this Wi-Fi service to guests in her audience. The Gogo service costs $13 during daytime flights over three hours, $10 with daytime flights under three hours, $8 for hand-held devices, and $6 for red-eye flights.
Virgin America makes domestic stops in San Francisco, New York, L.A., Washington D.C., San Diego, Las Vegas, Seattle, Orange County and Boston. The service is available on all its plane types, flights times and routes (877/359-8474, virginamerica.com).
—David Cumming
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.
Oh, yes, of course. I would certainly pay to LOG IN in the skies... and far more than that. Thank you.
Ilona Missoni
Posted By Ilona Missoni on May 21, 2009, 10:32 AM
Dealing with people on their cell phones in cafes, etc. Now the opportunity to be locked up in close quarters listening to the banging away on computer keys. Wow, I can hardly wait!
Posted By Patrick Augustine on May 21, 2009, 10:50 AM
An airliner seat is possibly the only refuge left - a place where nobody can reach me, nor can I reach them.
While it's not on a par with Superman's "Fortress of Solitude" (which was located "near the North Pole," to assure the Man of Steel had a place to get away and ponder unseen and uninterrupted, though that was before satellites were hung in the skies), but it still gives me a sense of apartness that is strangely soothing in our, I think, overly-connected age.
On the other hand, I did buy the wi-fi on a February Virgin flight from SFO to JFK during working hours and found it made me feel like I was on top of my job, available to my students and my colleagues. And I did get some work done.
I don't, however, think I'd buy it during the weekend or on an evening west-to-east trip.
Posted By Greg Pabst on May 21, 2009, 10:52 AM
Maybe. I'm on the computer adding posts to my blog a LOT; so using in big "I" to pass the time could be great. It's the price of a drink; so why not? OR splurge and have both!
Posted By RandySFO on May 21, 2009, 10:52 AM
Most certainly. These are reasonable prices for Wi-Fi access especially if you're traveling alone. Bandwidth is not mentioned so I would reconsider if it's not that great. But having the option is wonderful.
Posted By Anand Shah on May 21, 2009, 11:09 AM
HELL NO!!!
Posted By Ken on May 21, 2009, 12:50 PM
In a hot second!
Posted By Island Traveler on May 21, 2009, 1:01 PM
I think having the option is absolutely wonderful. I would pay that price to have internet connection on a long flight (over 3 hours) in a heart beat.
Posted By Karen Olivia on May 21, 2009, 1:51 PM
I would pay to log on the the internet. I spend long hours on planes and the ability to work would be valuable. However, what next? cell phones? NO! I do not want to listen to my neighbors talk on their cell phones for the duration of the trip.
Posted By Jill on May 21, 2009, 2:14 PM
No, I wouldn't pay anything.
Posted By Harlene on May 21, 2009, 2:31 PM
Definitely useful and a good distraction. Too bad the the satellite service never works.
Posted By Devon on May 21, 2009, 2:46 PM
while i may not jump at the opportunity (my seat on the plane is like having a mini-vacation from all things life-related!), it's nice to know that there is an affordable option.
Posted By sunni on May 21, 2009, 3:11 PM
I HARDLY EVER PAY FOR ANYTHING ON A PLAY BUT I WOULD GLADLY PAY LOGING ,
THANK YOU!
Posted By CHIRY on May 21, 2009, 8:35 PM
NO NO NO NO NO Virgin sucks
Posted By A.C.Murdock on May 21, 2009, 11:27 PM
no way!!!
Posted By chirp on May 22, 2009, 7:33 AM
Yes, 8 or 10 buck$ sounds reasonable.
Posted By Steve on May 22, 2009, 9:11 PM
So now will carry on bags become even more cumbersome as everyone totes along their laptop - causing even more delays in the security lines? Seat space is incredibly limited as it is. Unless you have a super mini, your computer will no doubt end up in your lap as soon as the passenger in front of you reclines their seat!
Posted By Susan on May 22, 2009, 9:47 PM
I would offer to pay nothing -- but I would probably use it if it was a free perk. I do bring my laptop with me, but have no pressing need to be on line during my flight.
Posted By Bob on May 23, 2009, 4:53 PM
I would consider it for a long flight (over 3 hours.) When you're flying for a long time any distraction is a good one. Well except talking on a cell phone, that would be torture for everyone.
Posted By Crissy on May 26, 2009, 4:12 PM
Hardly ever worth it.
Posted By Gerry on May 27, 2009, 1:52 AM
Is there also in-seat power with two-prong standard receptacle? If not, will it be added? If so, will there be an additional cost?
The reason for three questions is that it will be valuable, and in-seat power definitely costs the airline more than wi-fi (installation, weight, maintenance and repair -- more things to go wrong). They already may have decided not to do it for these reasons. Most of us will need to carry a spare battery for > 2 hr. of use.
Posted By FirewindII on June 2, 2009, 2:04 AM