In-flight Internet available in one in three US flights
By James • Jul 21st, 2010 • Category: Industry News
- Photo: dear Edward / Flickr
How far we have come. Less than a year ago, the idea of wi-fi in aircrafts was a novelty and something of a minor competitive advantage. Today, according to Computerworld, wi-fi is said to be available in one in three US airlines.
Some teething problems, still
Even though the technology is becoming ubiquitous, many potential users remain confused over which airlines offer in-flight Internet. Add to that the general perception that airline Internet is too expensive, costing over $13 dollars for north of three hours’ service, and consumer adoption still faces some slight hurdles.
The big winners
Outside of the airlines that attract customers as a result of in-flight Internet access, the other winners are wi-fi components manufacturers. The really big winners, though, are the two prominent companies providing the airline Internet services – Aircell and Row 44.
- Photo: djking / Flickr
Aircell is easily the most popular platform used to deliver wi-fi to most air US lines. Row 44, critically, is the exclusive in-flight Internet provider for South by Southwest airlines, who plan to have its entire fleet airline Internet enabled by 2012. In addition, by infrastructural design, Aircell is limited to the US, while Row 44’s service could go global, with South Africa’s Mango Airlines and Norway’s Norwegian Air Shuttle being evidence of this.
It’s about time, too
With more and more mobile devices becoming online enabled, ranging from smartphones to tablet computers and handheld gaming consoles, wi-fi adoption has only spread. Major cities are blanketed in wi-fi hotspots, with the adoption of wi-fi equipment exploding. Airlines, which by definition have wealthier clients, are a ripe breeding ground to make money off of those customers who would prefer to not be disconnected at any point.
This is too big a deal to fail, and though it is unclear whether Row 44 and Aircell will be the long-term winners, someone will validate this as a high revenue market soon.
Tags for this article: Internet services, wi-fi
