Wi-Fi on a 'plane near you
The growth in mobile technology
Whether for keeping the children happy on a five-hour flight, sending emails at 30,000 feet, or checking cricket scores, it is surprising in-flight Wi-Fi is not as standard as the drinks trolley.
Emirates’ announcement of providing Wi-Fi on its Airbus A380s from June, 2012 will maybe shake other airlines into action on this issue.
For US passengers; connecting to the Internet whilst in-flight has become an option available on all AirTran and Virgin America planes and the majority of Delta and American Airlines aircraft.
Several Middle Eastern and Asian carriers also offer the service. Airlines in the UK and the rest of Europe could do with catching up.
British Airways offer a limited service on its Airbus A318s flying from London City Airport to New York’s JFK.
British Midlands Airways tested in-flight Wi-Fi as did Ryanair, who went as far as to install the system on 20 of its aircraft, but disagreements with the service provider meant plans were halted in March of this year.
As a way of solving in-flight entertainment problems, it would be perfect. Hand-held gaming devices could be connected, films watched, so long as batteries lasted and emails, tweets or messages sent.
Fair enough, it might be a bit of a squash to fit a larger laptop between you and the seat in front on low cost airlines, but Blackberry and other mobile users would be in their element.
Studies in the US have shown cost to be a major issue in keeping passengers from using in-flight Wi-Fi, so if it were to be a success, airlines would need to offer the service at a low price.
Virgin America offered free Wi-Fi on all of its flights during the last Christmas holidays, apparently with enthusiastic response.
Perhaps the cost of installation has been putting airlines off, or the lack of power outlets next to seats, but is it not about time Wi-Fi was installed on all passenger aircraft flying from the UK?
| Comments | Post a comment |
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Gemma, Edenbridge, Kent 29 July 2010, 03:31PM | |
| Having Wi-Fi on all flights would be really fantastic, even better too if it were free or built into the cost of the ticket. | |
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| This would be a great idea, and a perfect opportunity to catch up with e-mails and tweets as suggested in the article. Great being able to use your blackberry or I phone. I realise cost is an issue for airlines, but I think it would be a very welcome addition to flying. | |
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Martin Jones, Surrey 2 August 2010, 03:18PM | |
| I can only see Wi-Fi on planes being a success in the mainstream if they make it FREE. People gobbled up food when it was free, but they find it a lot less appetizing when they have to pay. I am happy to go without Internet access for the length of a flight. | |
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| I am enthusiastic. I read the article and comments on mobile 'phones and (despite the personal inconvenience) generally agree that shouting into a mobile on a flight is going to be anti-social. However, to be able to use my iPad would be great. | |
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Melissa Sayers, London 3 August 2010, 09:25AM | |
| I agree, the idea of being able to use my iPad is a fantastic one, and one that would become more popular as time goes on I would imagine. | |
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Anthony Lake, Totnes 4 August 2010, 12:32PM | |
| I think it would be more appealing if it were free also, all the extra charges are off putting, it would be great to access e-mails and the internet whilst flying though, so in principal, I agree its a good idea. | |
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