Pro-X-Travel

Alaska Airlines Now Offering Inflight Wi-Fi on More Than Half Its Aircraft

Airline, Visa partner to offer Gogo Inflight Internet service free through July 31

Alaska Airlines is now offering Aircell's Gogo Inflight Internet service on more than half its aircraft, including all 55 of its Boeing 737-800s and 10 of its 737-900s. The service will be available on the airline's remaining two 737-900s by the end of July. These aircraft fly throughout Alaska's network, including all transcontinental routes.

"Our installations are on schedule and every week more customers are having the opportunity to sample our new Gogo service at no cost, thanks to the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card," said Joe Sprague, Alaska's vice president of marketing.

The airline is partnering with the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card to offer passengers Inflight Wi-Fi free of charge on flights through July 31, 2010. After July 31, the Gogo service, currently available in the U.S. lower 48 states, will be offered to customers at a cost of $4.95 per flight and up, based on length of flight and device used.

With Gogo, Alaska Airlines passengers with wireless devices can browse the Web; access online music, games, podcasts and webcasts; send and receive e-mail; and connect to virtual private networks while flying. The easy-to-use service provides passengers with full Internet access on any Wi-Fi-equipped laptop or personal electronic device at speeds similar to wireless mobile broadband services on the ground. Customers can visit alaskaair.com/wifi for more information about Alaska's Inflight Wi-Fi.

The airline's remaining 737-400s and 737-700s will be equipped with the Gogo service by the end of 2010.

To ensure the service is available to the airline's namesake state, Aircell will expand its network by early 2011 to provide Gogo Inflight Internet service on key routes to, from and within the state of Alaska. A detailed coverage map is available for download from Alaska Airlines' image gallery at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

Aircraft equipped with inflight Wi-Fi have a Wi-Fi symbol located outside the aircraft's boarding door and information about the service located in seatback pockets. Gogo is available above 10,000 feet, following an announcement approving the use of portable electronic devices.

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines Launches Inflight Wi-Fi Today on Six Aircraft

Airline partners with Visa to offer free Gogo Inflight Internet service through July

Alaska Airlines launched Aircell's Gogo Inflight Internet service today on six Boeing 737-800 aircraft and plans to expand the service to its entire fleet by the end of 2010. The airline is partnering with Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card to offer passengers Inflight Wi-Fi free of charge on flights through July 31, 2010. Customers can visit alaskaair.com for more information about Alaska's Inflight Wi-Fi.

With Gogo, Alaska Airlines passengers with wireless devices will be able to browse the Web; access online music, games, podcasts and webcasts; send and receive e-mail; and connect to virtual private networks while flying. The easy-to-use service will provide passengers with full Internet access on any Wi-Fi-equipped laptop or personal electronic device at speeds similar to wireless mobile broadband services on the ground.

"Through July 31, our customers traveling on Wi-Fi-equipped planes will be able to try out the new Gogo service at no cost, courtesy of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card," said Joe Sprague, Alaska's vice president of marketing.

By the end of summer, Gogo will be installed on the airline's fleet of 737-800s and -900s, which represents the majority of Alaska's fleet. The remaining 737-400s and -700s will be equipped with the service later in the year.

Aircraft equipped with inflight Wi-Fi will have a Wi-Fi symbol located outside the aircraft's boarding door and information about the service located in seatback pockets. Gogo will be available above 10,000 feet, following an announcement approving the use of portable electronic devices.

Customers can use inflight Wi-Fi free of charge through July 31 by entering the promotional code ALASKAVISA on the login screen. After July 31, the Gogo service, currently available in the U.S. lower 48 states, will be offered to customers at a cost of $4.95 per flight and up, based on length of flight and device used.

To ensure the service is available to the airline's namesake state, Aircell will expand its network by early 2011 to provide Gogo Inflight Internet service on flights to, from and between key destinations in the state of Alaska.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines

Gogo Inflight Internet Introduces Monthly Subscription

Ideal for Road Warriors who want unlimited Gogo Inflight Internet access

Aircell, the world's leading provider of airborne communications, has introduced the Gogo® Monthly Subscription, a new pricing option that can be used across the entire fleet of more than 800 Gogo equipped aircraft.  Gogo Monthly Subscription offers the best value for frequent fliers who want to stay connected regardless of their airline choice.

This new option automatically renews each month and is available for $34.95.

"Building on the strong demand for our existing 30-Day product, frequent flyers are telling us that they want a single pass that provides a seamless and convenient way to stay connected across all Gogo equipped airlines," said Michael Small, Aircell's President and CEO.  

Passengers can purchase the Gogo Monthly Subscription through the inflight portal, just as they do today.  Once registered, passengers will have Internet access on all Gogo equipped flights.  Though it will be redeemable on all equipped airlines, Gogo Monthly Subscription will initially be available for purchase on AirTran Airways, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Virgin America; all airlines that have equipped a high percentage of their fleet with Gogo.  

Aircell's goal is to offer airline passengers a wide range of pricing options. In addition to the new subscription product, Aircell will continue to offer Gogo passes for single flight segments, which start at $4.95.  

Gogo is currently available on all AirTran Airways and Virgin America flights and on select Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, US Airways and United Airlines flights. Later in 2010, Alaska Airlines and Continental Airlines will join the family of Gogo equipped carriers.  

SOURCE Aircell

United Airlines Introduces Try-Before-You-Buy Wi-Fi Promotion

Gogo Inflight Internet now available on all p.s. flights

 Just in time for the busy Thanksgiving holidays, United Airlines customers on transcontinental p.s. flights can enjoy a complimentary onboard Internet session with the new Try-Before-You-Buy promotion, offered in conjunction with airborne communications provider Aircell.

Through Dec. 31, first-time users of Aircell's Gogo Inflight Internet service will be offered one free session upon creating a new account.

Gogo enables customers with Wi-Fi enabled devices such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs to surf the Web, check e-mail, send and receive instant messages, and access a corporate VPN.

The service is available on all of United's p.s. flights between New York Kennedy and the airline's Los Angeles and San Francisco hubs.

"Gogo Inflight Internet service on our p.s. flights provides our customers with an even more productive and enjoyable travel experience," says Allen Will, managing director of strategic aircraft programs. "With Gogo Inflight Internet and an AC power port at every seat, p.s. customers will get more accomplished in the air this holiday season, leaving time for more holiday cheer on the ground."

For more information on United's inflight Internet service, visit united.com/Wi-Fi.

SOURCE United Airlines

Air Canada begins customer trials for inflight internet

First Canadian Airline to Offer Wi-Fi Connectivity in the Air

Air Canada said today it has begun trials to offer its customers Gogo(R) Inflight Internet service on board select flights on the carrier's Toronto-Los Angeles and Montreal-Los Angeles routes.

"Air Canada is the first Canadian airline to begin offering customers access to the internet while they are flying," said Louise McKenven, Senior Director, Marketing, at Air Canada. "With this service, our customers will be able to email, work and surf the net while flying, and more fully enjoy what is already a superior travel experience that includes complimentary seatback entertainment and access to standard power outlets."

Following the test period which runs until January 29, 2010, Air Canada will analyze usage and customer feedback before it proceeds with introduction of the service on other routes.

"This initial phase is intended to get our customers' feedback about this exciting new service. The ultimate rollout of our inflight internet service will be finalized pending the outcome of the trial period as well as obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals and the development of ground infrastructure in Canada to provide a domestic network," added Ms. McKenven.

"We are very pleased to launch Gogo on Air Canada, the first Canadian airline to offer Inflight Internet," stated Ron LeMay, Aircell President and CEO. "Air Canada's customers will now feel the freedom of having the world at their fingertips thanks to having full Internet access in flight. We look forward to working with Air Canada to deliver that world to them."

Customers can access the service using their own standard, Wi-Fi equipped laptop at a cost of US $9.95 per flight or Personal Electronic Device (PED) at a cost of US $7.95 per flight.

Initially, the Gogo system will be powered by Aircell's existing network and only available in the continental U.S. in order to make Air Canada's rollout fast, economical and simple. Air Canada intends to extend the system on other routes in North American with the deployment of the Canadian Air-To-Ground (ATG) network. Aircell plans to collaborate with the Canadian ATG licensee in supporting the establishment of a Canadian ATG network and in facilitating the fleet-wide deployment of Air Canada's onboard connectivity service.

SOURCE AIR CANADA

Virgin America Teams Up With Google to Offer Free In-Flight WiFi for the Holidays

Airline and Web Technology Company Give Holiday Travelers the Gift of Connection with Free Gogo Inflight Internet

Virgin America, the airline that is reinventing domestic travel, today announced an exclusive partnership with Google to offer free in-flight WiFi to all of its guests during the holidays. The two California-based companies known for innovation, entrepreneurialism and for connecting people in new ways, have again joined forces to give Virgin America fliers the gift of in-flight connection during the holiday travel season. From Nov. 10, 2009-Jan. 15, 2010, guests on all Virgin America flights will be able to check email, gift shop online, stay in touch with family and friends via social media, or just go wherever the web takes them - all for free. In May, Virgin America became the first airline to offer Gogo® Inflight Internet service on every flight.

"Since the launch of WiFi on all of our planes, we've seen an overwhelmingly positive response from travelers," said Porter Gale, Vice President of Marketing at Virgin America. "We've found that both business and leisure travelers are using the service at a growing rate, and many consider the availability of in-flight WiFi one of the key factors in their booking decision. We're thrilled to team up with Google to deliver this special holiday gift to our loyal guests. We also hope it persuades more new users to try out the service -as once people try Gogo, they rarely go back."

Virgin America is the first airline to offer both standard power outlets near every seat and fleet-wide Gogo Inflight Internet service. The airline estimates that currently 12-15 percent of its guests are using the Gogo service. On some of the airline's long-haul routes (like BOS-SFO), the carrier is reporting that up to 20-25 percent of guests on a given flight are logging in.

"As millions of people pass through airports this holiday season in order to celebrate with their families, we wanted to give our users a gift - one that makes their travel easier and more convenient," said Marissa Mayer, Vice President of Search Products and User Experience at Google. "The fundamental power of the Internet is in connecting people, and we hope that having a free WiFi connection while enroute will make home and family seem that much closer."

A recent survey of Virgin America frequent fliers showed that guests are using WiFi in a variety of ways and consider the ability to stay connected a key in-flight amenity. Top-line results from the survey* include:

• More than half of respondents said that the availability of WiFi would influence their choice of airline.
• The availability of in-flight power outlets is also a factor for many in choosing to fly with Virgin America.
• 72% agreed that VOIP should continue to be blocked to keep the cabin environment quiet.
• 53% of respondents carry a laptop on board. Of those that connected to Gogo, 88% used a laptop.
• Email is the most popular activity while using in-flight WiFi, followed by working remotely and social media.

Although guests traveling on any of Virgin America's over 100 daily flights from Nov. 10, 2009-Jan. 15, 2010, will enjoy free web access via their laptops or PDAs, the Gogo service is normally available for $12.95 for flights of over three hours; $9.95 for flights between 1.5 and three hours; $5.95 for short haul flights of less than 1.5 hours and handheld/PDA pricing of $7.95 for flights over 1.5 hours.

Since launching in August 2007, Virgin America has captured a list of travel industry best-in-class awards, including "Best Domestic Airline" in Conde Nast Traveler's 2008 and 2009 Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure's 2008 and 2009 World's Best Awards. Virgin America offers travelers unrivalled amenities, low fares and high-tech features. Virgin America's mood-lit, custom-designed new cabins feature more comfortable, ergonomically correct leather seats and Red (TM) - the most advanced entertainment system in the U.S. skies. Red is a touch-screen seatback entertainment platform that offers 25 films, live TV, interactive Google Maps, music videos, video games, a 3000 MP3 library and more.

In November 2008, Virgin America launched Gogo Inflight Internet on its first flight with a first ever "air-to-ground" video stream to YouTube Live - YouTube's first official real-world user event. In May of 2009, the airline completed the roll-out of its WiFi service across its fleet and celebrated the milestone with a live streamed chat between Oprah Winfrey in her studio audience and a Virgin America plane at 35,000 feet over the California coast. In June 2009, the airline also teamed up with Google for the first-ever online and "in the clouds" web-based scavenger hunt, using in-flight WiFi.

SOURCE Virgin America