The Skies with WiFi

WiFi-equipped airplanes allow access to the Internet, instant messaging and email at 35,000 ft.

With the recent events over the holidays, flying, while still statistically safer than other forms of transport, has become slightly less comfortable with stricter security measures. For a short period after December’s incident, laptops and other electronics were banned from the cabin of US-bound flights. Fortunately, that restriction has been eased, paving the way for less bored passengers.

Most airports already have wireless Internet access (I’m so annoyed that Toronto’s Pearson charges for it!) and many flights have had live television (or multiple pre-recorded channels) for a while, but wireless Internet access is only slowly making its way onto flights.

Just how badly do travellers want wireless Internet access? In a survey by Wakefield Research, 76% of frequent fliers would switch airlines; 55% would reschedule their flight by a day; and 71% would give up meal service for it.

Most, if not all laptops now have built-in wireless network cards supporting the two most common standards, 802.11b and 802.11g. The newer, faster 802.11n was only recently finalized but draft-n devices have been available for a while. (The extra bandwidth is moot anyways because speeds of in-flight Internet access is significantly less than broadband access at home. i.e. you won’t be streaming 1080p YouTube)

The following airlines have or are installing wireless Internet access:

Air Canada
Equipped flights: Montreal and Toronto to Los Angeles
Cost: $4.95 (up to 1.5 hours), $9.95 (1.5 to 3.0 hours), $12.95 (over 3.0 hours)
Power outlet: Dependent on the aircraft.
Website: http://www.aircanada.com/

AirTran
Equipped flights: All.
Cost: $4.95 (up to 1.5 hours), $9.95 (1.5 to 3.0 hours), $12.95 (over 3.0 hours)
Power outlet: No.
Website: http://www.airtran.com/wifi/gogo.aspx

Alaska Air
Equipped flights: Only 1 aircraft at the moment: “WiFi One”
Cost: $2-$12 depending on the length of the flight.
Power outlet: No.
Website: http://www.alaskaair.com/www2/help/faqs/inflightwififaq.aspx

American Airlines
Equipped flights: All 767s. Most MD-80s. Installations on other aircraft throughout 2010.
Cost: $4.95 (up to 1.5 hours), $9.95 (1.5 to 3.0 hours), $12.95 (over 3.0 hours)
Power outlet: Cigarette style adapters on most flights.
Website: http://www.aa.com/wifi

Continental Airlines
Equipped flights: Installation in progress. ETA: 2010 Summer, 27 Boeing 757s.
Cost: $4.95 (up to 1.5 hours), $9.95 (1.5 to 3.0 hours), $12.95 (over 3.0 hours)
Power outlet: Dependent on the aircraft.
Website: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=85779&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1366623&highlight=

Delta
Equipped flights: All MD-88s, MD-90s. Most domestic aircraft.
Cost: $4.95 (up to 1.5 hours), $9.95 (1.5 to 3.0 hours), $12.95 (over 3.0 hours)
Power outlet: Depends on the aircraft.
Website: http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/inflight_services/products/wi-fi.jsp

JetBlue
Equipped flights: Only 1 aircraft at the moment: “BetaBlue” (and extremely limited access)
Cost: Free
Power outlet: No.
Website: http://www.jetblue.com/about/whyyoulllike/about_WhyWireless.html

Southwest Airlines
Equipped flights: Only 4 aircraft at the moment. Installations throughout 2010.
Cost: $2-$12 depending on the length of the flight.
Power outlet: No.
Website: http://www.southwest.com/wifi/

United Airlines
Equipped flights: Select 757s between New York and California. Installations throughout 2010.
Cost: $4.95 (up to 1.5 hours), $9.95 (1.5 to 3.0 hours), $12.95 (over 3.0 hours)
Power outlet: Only in first class, on the larger aircraft.
Website: http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,53126,00.html

US Airways
Equipped flights: Installation in progress. ETA: Sometime in 2010.
Cost: $4.95 (up to 1.5 hours), $9.95 (1.5 to 3.0 hours), $12.95 (over 3.0 hours)
Power outlet: No.
Website: http://www.usairways.com/en-US/traveltools/intheair/wifi.html

Virgin America
Equipped flights: All.
Cost: $4.95 (up to 1.5 hours), $9.95 (1.5 to 3.0 hours), $12.95 (over 3.0 hours)
Power outlet: USB and standard 110V AC.
Website: http://www.virginamerica.com/va/press/2009/May/Virgin_America_First_Airline_to_Offer_Fleetwide_WiFi.html

To check if your aircraft has an outlet, check out www.seatguru.com, a site that helps find the seats with the most legroom, most overhead space, etc.

For those that can’t stay connected in the air, Lufthansa has a service that will keep your companions on the ground up-to-date on your whereabouts: MySkyStatus.

It works with any airline/flight and will post your departure, in-air location, and arrival information to Twitter, Facebook or send an email at regular intervals, with links to a Google Map. Check it out at https://www.myskystatus.com/

Happy flying!

Filed Under: Downloads > Entertainment > Facebook > Found on the Web > Fun > Instant Messaging > Music > My Online Life > Online Video > Social Media > Social Networking > Web 2.0 > Web/Tech
Tags: airlines, airplanes, airports, broadband, Email, Facebook, flying, internet, Internet access, twitter, wifi, Wireless