Delta announced that they will be offering Wi-Fi access on there entire domestic mainline fleet. Delta is partnering with airborne communications leader Aircell to offer Gogo. The Gogo service will allow Delta customers traveling with Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs, to access the Internet.
The Wi-Fi will cost $9.95 on flights of three hours or less, and $12.95 on flights more than three hours.
Aircell was chosen to install the Wi-Fi because it is much cheaper and easier to install compared to the once offered service Connexion by Boeing. Boeing offered Connexion in 2004 but, it was canceled in 2006 because it was too bulky to be used on Boeing’s smaller domestic planes.
Other airlines like American Airlines, Virgin America, and JetBlue have similar Wi-Fi plans in place. All of Delta’s mainline aircraft in the U.S. will get the service installed. The first Delta planes to get Gogo installed will be it’s 133 MD 88/90 planes. By the end of 2009 Delta plans to have the Wi-Fi installed on more than 330 aircraft.
Offering wifi service will surely help the struggling airline industry recoup from the high expenses of the higher fuel prices.
