Delta to Launch Complete Wireless Internet Service in The Sky

Major U.S. carrier, Delta Air Lines Inc. announced Tuesday that it will soon offer WiFi Internet connection on all of its domestic mainline flights, enabling Internet-dependent airline passenger to sign on while aloft.

Atlanta based Delta Airline said August, 5 that it will begin rolling out Wi-Fi access on its entire fleet of 330 domestic aircrafts by the middle of next year, starting with 75 by the end of that year. The Wi-Fi service would be initially installed on Delta's fleet of 133 MD88/90 aircraft, and the remaining domestic fleet of more than 200 Boeing 737, 757 and 767-300 aircraft will add the service throughout the first half of 2009.

America’s third largest carrier Delta is teaming with Aircell, an in-flight technology company, to provide uptime connectivity across its entire fleet with a WiFi service called Gogo, which will allow passengers to access the Web via laptops, PDAs, iPhones and other equipped devices while in the air.

"Our customers asked for in-flight connectivity, and we're responding by rolling out the most extensive WiFi network in the sky," said Delta CEO Richard Anderson in a statement. "Beginning this fall, our passengers will have the ability to stay connected when they travel with us throughout the continental U.S."

By using Gogo broadband service, the fliers would be able to access the Internet, corporate and personal e-mail accounts, SMS (Short Message Service) texting, and instant messaging, Delta said.

Though, Delta will initially offer Gogo broadband service on all of its domestic mainline flights it will eventually expand the service to international flights and routes served by regional partners under the Delta Connection name. However, there’s no timeline for that expansion.

Although, several other airlines such as Southwest and Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, American and Continental either offer or plan to offer a similar service, Delta would be the first to offer complete wireless Internet service, including access to corporate and personal e-mail accounts, SMS texting and instant messaging.

Gogo system from Aircell is extremely light, requiring minimal space on the aircraft, and can be installed overnight, the US carrier said.

"The advent of [ATG] air-to-ground technology has made broadband connectivity in the cabin economically viable for the first time for commercial airlines," said Jack Blumenstein, Aircell's president and CEO. "The game has changed and Delta will be among the first to provide an enhanced customer experience with broadband Wi-Fi access on more than 1,000 daily flights within the U.S."

The Gogo WiFi service will be available at a cost $9.95 for shorter than three hours, and at $12.95 for longer flights.