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American Moves Forward With In-Flight Wi-Fi
To install service on 300 additional planes...
American Airlines test of Aircell's Gogo in-flight broadband service apparently went well, so the airline has decided to expand the service across its fleet. According to the carrier, they'll be installing the service on more than 300 additional planes, 150 of which will be completed this year. 300 is about half of American's total fleet -- and it's the planes that don't fly over water, staying within reach of Aircell's EVDO-based system. The service costs $7.95 for smart phone access on flights of any length, $9.95 for regular access on flights of three hours or less, and $12.95 on flights of more than three hours.
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pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium Member
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD

pnh102

Premium Member

Awesome!

Glad to see more US-based airlines are doing this!
nitzan
Premium Member
join:2008-02-27

nitzan

Premium Member

Re: Awesome!

Amen. I have yet to actually be on a flight with WiFi on board despite flying quite a bit - but would most definitely pay for it if it was offered.

Robert
Premium Member
join:2001-08-25
Miami, FL

Robert

Premium Member

How about upgrading their airplanes?

AA's airplanes suck compared to other airlines.

seginus
join:2008-01-30
Wendell, NC

seginus

Member

Re: How about upgrading their airplanes?

They are working on it. I read that they are in process of replacing all the old md-8x aircraft with new 737-800s. About time, too. I like the 2-3 seating on the MDs but technologically out of date.
flyingjoey
join:2005-11-07
Jersey City, NJ

flyingjoey to Robert

Member

to Robert
You want to talk about about bad and uncomfortable airplane configurations. Delta takes the price and Alaska Air being a close second. If you're 5'10" or taller this planes are just not made for you.

In comparison, jetblue has plenty of leg room, rows 1-5 have extra room, and rows 10 and 11 have the most leg room.
ihatedslr
join:2000-12-11
US

ihatedslr

Member

I'll pass.

They should just increase the price of the flight across the board and offer this as a "free" service. I will never pay separately for on-board WiFi. Nope.
expert007
join:2006-01-10
Buffalo, NY

expert007

Member

Re: I'll pass.

Why should everything be free? Do you have any idea what it costs to install & maintain this system??

Robert
Premium Member
join:2001-08-25
Miami, FL

Robert to ihatedslr

Premium Member

to ihatedslr
said by ihatedslr:

They should just increase the price of the flight across the board and offer this as a "free" service. I will never pay separately for on-board WiFi. Nope.
It's not fair to raise the price across the board forcing everyone to have to pay for it, when very few might actually take advantage of it.

For a 3-5 hr flight, I would pay $15 for unlimited access.

For a flight longer than 5, I'd pay up to $20 for unlimited access.

ReVeLaTeD
Premium Member
join:2001-11-10
San Diego, CA

ReVeLaTeD

Premium Member

Re: I'll pass.

said by Robert:

said by ihatedslr:

They should just increase the price of the flight across the board and offer this as a "free" service. I will never pay separately for on-board WiFi. Nope.
It's not fair to raise the price across the board forcing everyone to have to pay for it, when very few might actually take advantage of it.

For a 3-5 hr flight, I would pay $15 for unlimited access.

For a flight longer than 5, I'd pay up to $20 for unlimited access.
We had this argument nearly a decade ago. The actual need to increase the price would be negligible to the flyer.

Back in the 90's and late 80's, flights used to exceed a grand round trip. That was because of what you got during the flight: Free movie, free headsets, free breakfast, free snacks, free lunch, free dinner, free drinks, free nuts, free blankets, etc. But they weren't really "Free", they were just included in the fare. And people paid it.

When the airlines changed their structure in an effort to save costs, yes fares went down, but so did the service levels.

If they were smart they would offer an a la carte airfare service. I would be all over that and honestly, my fare would likely be quite expensive - resulting in more money for the airlines and the ability to itemize for remuneration from my company.

$400 (variable) - base rate
$20 - per meal cost (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
$20 - per movie cost, headphones free and included
$20 - unlimited WiFi usage
$100 - unlimited SkyPhone usage
$500 - First Class upgrade
$20 - unlimited SIRIUS XM access
$100 - open bar

I'd be all over it. Especially the meal cost.

pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium Member
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD

pnh102 to ihatedslr

Premium Member

to ihatedslr
said by ihatedslr:

I will never pay separately for on-board WiFi. Nope.
So don't.

floepie
join:2005-12-01

floepie

Member

Re: I'll pass.

So, I guess it would time to invest in a Browser Agent Switcher next time I board American? Sheesh. When will we become a device-agnostic society?