AirTran to offer Aircell connectivity across its fleet by summer

AirTran Airways will leapfrog its competitors to become the first US major airline to offer wireless broadband Internet access across its entire fleet, the carrier said yesterday.

It selected Aircell's Gogo Inflight to provide the Wi-Fi connection after spending about a year evaluating the offerings from four main suppliers, according to AirTran Senior VP-Marketing and Planning Kevin Healy. American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and others already are offering inflight broadband connectivity on selected aircraft but have not introduced it across their fleets.

The onboard service will cost laptop users flat fees of $9.95 for flights under 3 hr. and $12.95 for flights over 3 hr. There will be a $7.95 fee for smartphones regardless of length of flight. A frequent-user 30-day subscription pass is currently in development.

The Wi-Fi enabled aircraft link to Aircell's ground-based network via three antennas installed on the outside of the aircraft (two ATGs on the bottom, one GPS/PCS on the top). Once the aircraft reaches 10,000 ft., AirTran passengers have the option to connect for full Internet access for Web, e-mail, instant messaging and access to corporate e-ail and network systems through Wi-Fi enabled laptops, smartphones and PDAs. The airline will block objectionable websites and will not allow cellular telephone or VoIP connections.

Each system takes around 8 hr. to install on a 737NG or 717 and weighs approximately 125 lb., with no significant impact on fuel burn. At the current installation rate of two aircraft per night, AirTran expects all 136 jets will be outfitted by midsummer.

This ATWOnline reporter tested the system yesterday onboard an AirTran 737-700 39,000 ft. above Rhode Island and found connection and download speeds to be similar to terrestrial operations. Microsoft Outlook, Gmail and Twitter all performed as they normally would and the process of connecting was simple and quick. Signal strength is 3.1 megs. Service includes free access to The Wall Street Journal online. However, as other AirTran passengers with a short-lived laptop battery will find, there are no power ports in economy class on any of the carrier's aircraft.

Aircell currently has 92 towers nationwide (150 by year end) evenly spaced about every 200 mi. within the 48 contiguous US states. Although service is restricted to the continental US, Executive VP John Happ said the aircraft could "pick up a strong signal up to 240 mi. or so" offshore. Aircell is looking into expanding its Wi-Fi service into Canadian airspace, he added.

by Christine Boynton

Originally published 13 May 2009 at: http://feeds.atwonline.com/~r/AtwDailyNews/~3/ddh8wt7Dh_g/story.html