July 23rd, 2009
US Airways to launch Gogo in-flight Internet next year
US Airways has announced that it will install Gogo in-flight Internet on select planes in early 2010.
The Gogo service, powered by Aircell, will be added to the company’s fleet of 50 Airbus A321 aircraft, or about 14 percent of its entire fleet. US Airways plans to notify customers who book online if their flight will have Wi-Fi with a small icon.
The move marks the airline’s entry into a club already occupied by Virgin America, Delta, United, American Airlines, AirTran and (soon) Air Canada, according to Gogo’s website.
In fact, United will offer the service in several destinations including Boston, Providence, New York (LGA), Philadelphia, Charlotte, Chicago (O’Hare), Las Vegas, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Minneapolis and others.
The airline noted in the announcement that it may or may not charge Aircell’s cost of the service. According to Gogo’s own site, the service costs $5.95 for a flight up to 1.5 hours, $9.95 for one up to 3 hours, and $12.95 for flights beyond 3 hours.
The service is available on both laptop and mobile devices, but costs $7.95 for mobile-only on a flight less than 1.5 hours.
Andrew J. Nusca is an associate editor for ZDNet and SmartPlanet.
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