Delta has said it is going to install Wi-Fi on all 330 of its aircraft for
all US domestic flights.
The service will begin this autumn on part of the fleet and the rollout will
be completed by 2009. The company will charge a flat fee of $9.95 on flights of
three hours or less and $12.95 on flights of more than three hours.
Richard Anderson, Delta's chief executive officer, said: "Our customers asked
for in-flight connectivity and we're responding by rolling out the most
extensive Wi-Fi network in the sky. Beginning this fall, our passengers will
have the ability to stay connected when they travel with us throughout the
continental US."
The system, dubbed Gogo, is being installed by Aircell. It uses a network of
92 towers spaced across the United States that send high speed data streams to
aircraft in flight.
Speeds are variable depending on the number of users and the altitude and
speed of the aircraft, but can reach 1Mbps.
"The advent of Air-To-Ground (ATG) technology has made broadband connectivity
in the cabin economically viable for the first time for commercial airlines,"
said Jack Blumenstein, president of Aircell.
"The game has changed and Delta will be among the first to provide an
enhanced customer experience with broadband Wi-Fi access on more than 1,000
daily flights within the US."
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