American Airlines Add Access to its Fleet

Americn Airlines plans to expand Internet access to about half its fleet of aircraft over the next two years as it attempts to raise revenue and improve customer sevice. The company said Tuesday it will istall flyng Wi-Fi hot spots on about 300 planes used in the continental U.S. and gharge up to $12.95 for browsing the Web, sending e-mail or connecting with corporate VPN sites.

Financially driven, American has been testing in-flight Internet service for several months on 15 planes. The Airline declined to give figures on usage during thetest, but an American technology executive called the response postive. " American Airlines is a very financially driven airline," the executive, Doug Backelin, said. " We are especially careful in how we're spending , but this is a good strategic investment, something our customers wil value."

Gogo service, AMR Corp.'s American is one of several U.S. carriers getting into Internet service. Delta Air Lines Inc., the worlds largest airline operator, plans a quicker rollout, from about 80 planes currently to more than 300 late this year and more than 500 by the end of 2010.

Both airlines will use the Gogo service from Aircell.

American will add access to many of its McDonnell Douglas MD- 80 series aircraft beginning this year and on new Boeing 737-800 jets as it recives them. Aircell sets the prices and shares revenue with the airline, although neither company would discuss their financial arrangement.

What will it cost, Prices will range from $5.95 for redeye flights to $7.95 for using a handheld device, $9.95 for using a laptop computer on a flight up to three hours and $12.95 for using a laptop on a longer flight, Aircell plans to add other prices for day passes and perhaps monthly subscription rates for frequent fliers. Travelers can sign up om th ground and connect once the plane reaches 10,000 feet attitude. They'll use their browser to connect to Aircell's Gogo portal site.

In theory, if enough passengers are on line at the same time the speed of the service would degrade. Aircell Chief Executive Jack Blumenstein said that mass hasn't been reached on any trial flights. Each plane will be outfitted with three overlapping Wi-Fi signals, he said.

by the Associated Press