Aircell, Virgin America Broadband For those who want to Skype it up with other passengers... Thursday Sep 13 2007 12:34 EDT Aircell and Virgin America have released a few more details on their plan to begin offering broadband to the airline's customers in 2008. Unlike similar plans Aircell has with American Airlines, this launch will be across Virgin's entire (obviously smaller) fleet. We usually like to sleep on flights, but the folks at Virgin say you'll be able to chat with other passengers using the new system if that's your cup of tea: quote: Customized for Virgin America, the system is anticipated to allow guests to connect to the internet with the AirCell Broadband Service, using either their Red™ seatback video screens or their own wifi enabled portable gaming devices, laptops, PDAs or Smartphones. As such, in addition to the many entertainment choices currently offered by Red™ guests will be able to check and send web-email from their seatbacks through Red™'s TALK -- the airline's onboard chat system -- using popular instant messaging services such as MSN®, Google® talk, Yahoo! ® Skype, and AIM®.
"The excitement here at AirCell to see our service complement Virgin America's Red(TM) is amazing!" says Jack Blumenstein, CEO. Engadget has a gallery full of photos of their recent adventures with the new airline. |
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I wish...that some of our terrestrial broadband providers were so interested,enthusiastic, and a little more innovative in providing a more interesting offer to us here on the ground! | |
| | fiberguy2My views are my own. Premium Member join:2005-05-20 |
Re: I wish...said by bamabrad:that some of our terrestrial broadband providers were so interested,enthusiastic, and a little more innovative in providing a more interesting offer to us here on the ground! What exactly do you get on the plane that you don't get on the ground? I have Yahoo and MSN both going right now and just got done checking my email with both feet firmly planted on the ground. While I agree that Virgin America is an awesome airline (having flown them in both coach and first class already) I would hardly call their service innovative, yet I'd say they're cool. I'd only go that far because they are currently wiping the a*ses of the OTHER 'major' carriers.. | |
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Re: I wish...I was referring to the fact that a 'low-fare airline' could give so much (comparatively) to it's customers when the land corps act like these same services are sooooo expensive that they have to charge the consumer out the the yang-yang for virtually the same services. | |
| | | | fiberguy2My views are my own. Premium Member join:2005-05-20 |
fiberguy2
Premium Member
2007-Sep-13 10:10 pm
Re: I wish...Well, when Sir, what ever his name is, was on Faux News and was talking about the launch of his service, his comment was simply this when asked why he was launching a U.S. operation.. "We intend to show American based airlines the right way to run a business"... so far, I'm impressed.
There are a few airlines that I rank high in my book.. one of them was ranked #2 of all domestic carriers.
1) Sun Country Airlines (Suncountry.com) They ranked #2 2) Virgin Atlantic 3) Jet Blue
(notice I didn't include South West? As much as I like their fares, they play too many games with the customer and really do not have a great customer service rap, although they are a somewhat fun airline to fly. I use them mostly only when I'm in California and need a quick hop)
All three of those airlines are low fare and still treat their customers with respect, have a great on time record, low fares, hardly loose the bags, maintain their fleet well, haven't stripped the fun from flying, and are overall friendly.
I know Sun Country is more MN based.. but for us in the Twin Cities, they are a jewel. | |
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brandonSome truth included in this post. Premium Member join:2003-03-31 Ocean Springs, MS |
brandon
Premium Member
2007-Sep-13 1:32 pm
Ahem...In-flight passenger chat rooms increases mile-high-club membership by 116%. | |
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Re: Ahem...haha. chat room sex on an airplane.. the ultimate rush! | |
| | tiger72SexaT duorP Premium Member join:2001-03-28 Saint Louis, MO |
to brandon
I was thinking the same thing. What other reason would you have to chat with random passengers other than trying to nail that chick in seat 34D? | |
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vpoko Premium Member join:2003-07-03 Boston, MA |
vpoko
Premium Member
2007-Sep-13 3:32 pm
What about the FAA's ban on using your own radios?How would having your own WiFi-enabled device be OK with the FCC? | |
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Re: What about the FAA's ban on using your own radios?The issue isn't the FCC it would be the FAA, but as the Boeing Conexion airplane internet service worked via WiFi, i would imagine it's just a matter of testing the system and ensuring it doesn't interfere with navigation, it probably will not be allowed during TO or Landing though. | |
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