United Airlines to Offer Domestic In-Flight WiFi

United Airlines has announced a partnership with Verizon to provide domestic in-flight WiFi access. The FAA has already granted United permission to add the hardware to their aircraft, the last remaining hurdle is FCC approval which should come inthe nextseveral months. The FCC is due to hold an air-to-groundspectrum auction where service rights and frequencies will be awarded toWiFi serviceproviders. The core question now is pricing, which has not yet been announced.

"Our research shows that connecting to the Internet is customers' most preferred form of communication to the ground, and this certification is a crucial step to bring this in-flight wireless access to our customers," said Dennis Cary, United's senior vice president-Marketing. "We are thrilled by this accomplishment and proud to lead the industry in North America with Verizon Airfone in this endeavor."

At the moment, United has only obtained FAA approval for using the equipment in their B757-200 fleet. Since very little equipment is needed though, FAA approval of the 802.11b/g network on other aircraft shouldn't be much trouble. Once the FCC gives final approval, United will be able to ramp up the service to their customers very quickly. Depending how fast the FCC moves, United could be offering this searvice early next year.

While United did not release pricing figures, Lufthansa charges $29.95 for an entire International flight, or $9.95 for a half hour. Business travelers will certainly be ecstatic about this announcement. As great as the prospect of in-flight WiFi is,a serious question needs answering. Where can I plug in to charge my battery? And the answer better not be, buy a first class ticket.

 

the answer to the battery issue is probably manufacturers pushing their longer life batteries harder, if people know they can get wi-fi on a plane and be that much more productive then they'll pay out for an extra battery.

this is funny timing, yesterday i was at LA airport with 3 hours to burn and couldn't find a friggin wi-fi hotspot (booo, booo to LAX), then I got on the plane and thought "man, how nice would it be if a plane could provide connectivity". As an aside, while in Taipei I found the entire airport to be covered with Wi-Fi. It was nice, I had 7 hours stuck there.

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Jet Blue, on top of being ranked North America's #1 LCC (recently). Have free internet access in both of their main hubs at JFK and LGB ... I had the pleasure of using that service at JFK when I was stuck there for ~4 hrs. I am wondering when this service will get on board to their jets.

Brian, you had better take long trips to the bathroom and get some power while in there, or pay double just for a socket. [ ]

For Jet Blue travellers here is an info link for wireless service for B6's customers: http://www.jetblue.com/wireless/wireless.html

BTW, I thought Boeing had done some standard for wireless internet years ago. They called it "Connexion". And it is that standard that LH eventually fitted on their AirBus jets. So I wonder why UA has to go into the certification process again!!!

[EDIT]: This is a link to the Connexion website. UA isn't listed neither as a current nor as a future user of the standard. Which make me wonder why they would choose not to go with a certified standard that many airlines are already using, and choose to try for something new with Verizon! http://www.connexionbyboeing.com/

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www.seatguru.com will show you most airlines and where the good seats andf power plugs are. It does look like united does not offer power except first class.

Frankly I could never see spending such high rates for a few minutes of what is surely a lousy internet connection. I predict that none of the overpriced service will make a profit.

If the goverment wants to be helpful they should be pushing free wireless in airports and other large public places. This might makeup up for what they have let happen to transportation in this country.

 

qwester, once again your aviation knowledge serves us well, that's cool to know about the wi-fi deal at JFK as I do use that airport.

packrat, thanks for the input, i'm loving that website...I'd never heard of it. however, i'm such an addict for getting to the internet when i can that i would gladly pay a pretty penny on a longish flight, one to two hour flights who cares? read a book.

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abaxter, you cannot make use of that free wi-fi at JFK except if you are in terminal 6, which is the terminal that is ONLY used by Jet Blue, and hence cannot get access to except if you're flying with them.

Not sure about LGB (Long Beach) ... never been there!

BTW, the rates that other carriers are charging are set by Boeing's Connexion. That site that I provided, earlier lists all carriers currently with the service.

Packrat, when you're bored and are at 30,000+ ft. $30 doesn't seem too bad. + it's sort of cool when a chat buddy asks you where you are and you say "30,000 ft over greenland". [ ]

Unfortunetly, the routes I fly are never serviced with jets that have wi-fi service, although I fly LH every now and then.

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I think United picked Verizon specifically because they already had the in-flight phone contract with them. There was probably a certain level of comfort in that relationship.

That seatguru site is fantastic, thanks for the link. I can't find any ports in the Delta aircraft I have to fly on though.

Brian

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The flight attendants on many airlines will often plug your laptop in for you in their kitchen. Of course you can't use it, but if you have a power effiecient notebook that charges fast, 30 minutes of juice can last an hour or two.

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<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Packrat