July 12th, 2004
Continental gets it right where Starbucks doesn't
Just when I said, in the process of complaining about paid Wi-Fi at Starbucks, that I could understand why I might have to pay for Wi-Fi in an airport as opposed to paying for it at a retail establishment or fast food restaurant (for which there’s plenty of competition), Continental Airlines has announced free Wi-Fi service and Internet access for members that spend time in its Presidents Club airport lounges. Perhaps, between the various airline clubs and other establishments in the terminals looking to lure more customers (instead of gutting them for profits), it won’t be long before entire airports have free coverage. Unless of course, the airports are getting a share of the profits from the paid Wi-Fi carriers. In cases like that, the airports may be setting the rules much the same way some convention centers do — rules that prevent the installation of free Wi-Fi networks that could cannibalize their profits.
