American Airlines expands its in-flight Wi-Fi service

by Stevie Smith - Mar 31 2009, 15:30

While penny-pinching European airline Ryanair is running the risk of alienating passengers by charging for in-flight toilet usage, American Airlines is looking to increase its revenue stream by tempting passengers with the expansion of its in-flight Wi-Fi services.

A far cry from having to feed a pound coin into a door slot whenever nature calls, American Airlines has this week confirmed it is to bring its existing Gogo Internet connectivity to 300 more aircraft spread across its fleet.

With the extended rollout expected to reach completion by 2011, domestic passengers will initially be provided with online access aboard some 150 McDonnell-Douglas MD-80 aircraft before the close of 2009, with Boeing 737 aircraft set to begin receiving the installation soon thereafter.

Texas-based American Airlines’ decision to increase Wi-Fi coverage comes after the carrier successfully ran a trial of AirCell’s Gogo in-flight Internet service during 2008 on a test bed of 15 Boeing 767-200 aircraft, reports Reuters.

American Airlines passengers looking to enjoy the benefits of Internet access while cruising at 35,000 feet will be faced with a price increase of $12.95 USD for transcontinental flights of 1,150 miles or more.

Flights below that mileage count will carry an access cost of $9.95 USD, while mobile device users looking to go online during a flight will be charged just $7.95 USD.

Coincidentally, American Airlines does not charge its passengers should they require a mid-flight bathroom break.

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