Frequent fliers familiar with how to access cheap travel options, such as cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, and discount travel packages have been not been able to access the Internet when flying overseas on U.S. airlines because the air to ground signal currently being used will not work over the ocean.
The countrys three largest airlines (American, Delta, and United) announced on December 12th that they will start offering Internet service within weeks on international flights. There will be a gradual roll out of this service which will take up to two years before it is offered on all overseas flights.
Such service is in wide demand given that many passengers want to check emails and update Facebook while flying. The airlines will be able to provide this service shortly by installing satellite based Wi-Fi systems.
No specific prices have been announced yet for using international Wi-Fi. United has observed that its prices will vary depending on the distance of the flights as well as other factors.
International fliers are unlikely to have unlimited access to the Internet and most likely will not be able to view movies via such services as Netflix while flying. Deltas international Wi-Fi will use computer servers on planes that will enable passengers to view movies and TV shows for a fee. United also will be rolling out on-board streaming video.
Today Delta charges passengers on domestic flights 99 cents to watch TV shows and $3.99 for a movie. Deltas existing domestic Internet connection speed allows users to view emails and do basic Web browsing. Delta is in the process of upgrading its domestic Internet connection to where it will be three times faster.
Currently Delta leads its competitors in offering Wi-Fi on domestic flights, with about 800 planes having that capability. Only its smallest regional jets today do not offer Internet. American has Wi-Fi on 400 planes, equal to 81 percent of its fleet.
United lags behind, with Wi-Fi being offered on only 13 of its planes that fly between both coasts. United is aggressively working to catch up and is installing satellite based Internet connections that will work in the U.S. and abroad. By the end of 2013 this service is expected to be offered on 300 of its planes.
Delta plans to have its first Wi-Fi international plane ready by the end of January. Its entire fleet is expected to have Internet access within the next 18 months to two years.
As committed as U.S. airlines are to offering Wi-Fi on international flights, it is interesting to note that Australian airline Qantas recently discontinued this service after a nine month test because only 5 percent of its passengers were willing to pay for it.
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