Comments on: An Onboard Wifi Update

By: ICUDoc

ICUDoc — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:31:31 +0000

I don’t understand how “we” are putting money on a service – we are buying a service for a few hours – we are not making an investment. If the airlines bet wrong – they will pay a price – if they bet wrong – they will lose – but, in the meantime, we have access at least part of the time to Wi-Fi in the air – and that is GOOD!!!

By: Tony

Tony — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:15:23 +0000

Satellite connection on a mobile application has always been better than ground based systems. These systems are also used on boats, cars, RVs, homes and planes. Do you really think this industry would let itself become obsolete?

Aircell only services one type of customer, because it only points its signal up from its towers. The equipment it is presently installing is already obsolete and costs more than $100k for each installation. Plus the cost to setup and maintain hundreds of ground based locations.

Less than 10% of pasengers will use it and the airlines get a chunk of that business. Most laptops only get about one hour of use with Wi-Fi on so, why pay for more time than that? Many people will soon realize having to pay more than an hour on Gogo is foolish. In addition Aircell has patent issues to contend with. I would not put my money on this service lasting five years.

By: Test Install

Test Install — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:59:27 +0000

@ Tony: What will happen in five years when all those satellites that are still working are 1/10 the speed of Aircell's ground based network? Southwest will be looking foolish then!

By: Test Install

Test Install — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:58:04 +0000

@ David SFeastbay: You must realize that the cost of your ticket is cheaper now than anytime in aviation history! We used to get free meals that were delicious and worthy, along with those cheesy stethoscope type head phones, but we used to pay $498 to fly 500 miles, my last flight on Airtran was $60 for 1200 miles. At that price point difference, I'll buy my wifi, thank you very much!

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:23:23 +0000

Aircell and Delta are in litigation for patent infringment. I expect the other airlines will be added as well. Aircell will have problems connecting to cell sights with the present equipment and will need to upgrade equipment to improve its conectivity. I would not purchase from Aircell/Gogo for this reason.

Southwest will be using Row 44- smart move on there part.

By: David SFeastbay

David SFeastbay — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:20:01 +0000

Delta announced yesterday they will be beefing up JFK-LAX/SFO flts but didn’t give a date in the news blurb I saw. UA said they were so DL had to follow suit with their wifi plans.

By: Phil

Phil — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:02:21 +0000

Well, one must be able to fit the computer between yourself and the seat in front of one, this limits the usability. I lug a Latitude D800 and am 6′-1″ and 240 lbs. The potential of WiFi for me is therefore rather limited.

Also, the stats may look a little different if you measure the number of seat-hours per year for which WiFi is available versus the total number of seat-hours.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:53:28 +0000

I think we are again comparing apples to oranges (ie legacies to lccs). I think it is absolutely fair to say that VA has completed the roll-out of wifi across their planes faster than anyone. I think it is also fair that they have to do it on 30-ish planes! Now I think the efforts that AA and DL have done in this area are great, but I agree with your inclusion of all the regionals in the % complete.
The american public wants uniformity in experience and I think that is what is missing in the legacies world. They make it so hard to know what to expect; for example can I pay on cash or can’t I (ie United vs United Express); but I pay United for the ticket.
If there is one thing to be said for Air Canada at least they get it with a majority of the jazz getting IFE. I know it all comes down to cost and service provided, but I think American should get this, they own (almost) the entire network they fly. They should be able to provide a consistent experience and having different services across the same brand is a customer expectation nightmare.
Also, United has started the roll-out of wifi, all of 1 airplane is complete.

By: CF

CF — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:47:28 +0000

ICUDoc wrote:

You mention about American and the MD-80’s – what about the few 737’s that they still fly? Will they get WiFi?

They actually fly a lot more than a few - those are the replacements for the MD-80s. According to AirCell, they are still waiting for the approval to install on the 737s from the feds. Delta has one 737 outfitted and once that's done, American should be able to start as well.

By: ICUDoc

ICUDoc — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:37:53 +0000

You mention about American and the MD-80’s – what about the few 737’s that they still fly? Will they get WiFi?