October 1, 2009 by kb3ljm.

Roger Flessing was on an American Airlines flight to Seattle recently when he began speaking with his son on his iPhone.

Unsure of how his action might be received by others, the Tacoma resident says he spoke discreetly. But soon, he says, flight attendants were leaning over, asking for a demonstration on how to make calls on their mobile phones. “They were saying, ‘Wow this is great. We have to check our schedule, and we couldn’t do that before,’ ” says Flessing, who flies often for his job as a communications executive for the non-profit relief organization World Vision.
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August 24, 2009 by kb3ljm.

In a press release just out from Southwest, the carrier says it “and Row 44 are continuing plans to roll out wi-fi beginning in the first quarter of 2010. Beginning this fall, Southwest will be moving to the next step of certifying Southwest’s full fleet with plans to begin fleetwide rollout of the Row 44 satellite service in the first quarter of 2010. The airline has been testing the service on four aircraft since Feb. 2009 and has received fantastic Customer feedback on the product.” Stay tuned for more details.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=68497502.blog

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July 19, 2009 by kb3ljm.

Now that it has become the first major airline to outfit its entire fleet with wireless Internet service, AirTran Airways is offering passengers a few do’s and don’t’s.

Tip #134. “The lavatory is not your personal conference room.”

The bathroom admonition is one of several included in the primer Internetiquette: A Guide to Keeping Everyone In Line, While They’re Online that AirTran (AAI) will place in every seat pocket following its announcement Tuesday that the Internet is now accessible on each of its 136 planes.
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February 24, 2009 by kb3ljm.

Southwest Airlines Co. has started testing wireless Internet access aboard one of its jets with plans to expand the test by early next month.

Southwest said Tuesday that the test will last a few months and eventually include four aircraft.

During the test, passengers will be able to log on free using their own laptop or smart phone — cellular technology won’t work.
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August 13, 2008 by kb3ljm.

New Additions Give Boingo Users Access to Every Major Airport on the Eastern Seaboard

Boingo Wireless, the global market leader in Wi-Fi, announced the launch of Boingo service at both Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Airport (DCA) in the Washington, DC area. Boingo members can now use their Boingo login and passwords on the Boingo landing page to access the Internet or automatically connect using GoBoingo software at both of these airports.
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May 10, 2008 by kb3ljm.

Sprint (S) and Clearwire (CLWR) are forming a new company to build a nationwide “WiMax” wireless network, with the goal of offering advanced wireless Internet services to millions beginning next year, the companies said Wednesday.

Google (GOOG), Intel (INTC), Comcast (CMCSA) and Time Warner (TWX) are major investors. Under terms of the $3.2 billion collaboration, Sprint and Clearwire will form a separate, publicly traded company — called Clearwire — to oversee the nationwide buildout.
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March 17, 2008 by kb3ljm.

Denver International Airport is blocking certain websites from its free Wi-Fi network, fearing that some customers could find the sites offensive, according to The Associated Press.  For example, The Denver Post writes that if you “want to browse Vanity Fair magazine,” then “you’ll have to buy it at the newsstand, because (Denver’s) Internet filter blocks Vanity Fair as ‘provocative.’ ” The Post says other blocked sites include celebrity gossip site perezhilton.com on and “hipster-geek favorite” boingboing.net.” The Post adds the Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit photos are also blocked, although the paper says that’s “even though the magazine’s bare-breasted cover shot is on prominent display at airport stores, right next to Penthouse and Hustler.”
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January 30, 2008 by kb3ljm.

Continental will add live television programming and onboard e-mail and instant messaging capabilities on some of its aircraft beginning next year, the airline announced today. The airline says it’s offerings will include 36 channels of live television, The Associated Press reports. The Houston Chronicle says “first-class customers will get free access to the entertainment system, while other passengers will have to pay a $6 fee. … The service will be installed aboard Continental’s new Boeing 737s and Boeing 757-300s.”
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January 7, 2008 by kb3ljm.

The high-speed Wi-Fi network at BWI is now operational in all secure areas, concourses A/B, C, D, and E of the airport as well as the Observation Gallery. Areas outside of the security zones, including the ticketing and baggage areas will be online in the near future. Travelers can purchase either a day pass or a monthly plan for their internet access services.

http://www.bwiairport.com/utility/what__s_new/

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January 2, 2008 by kb3ljm.

From USA TODAY: “Air France is conducting a limited test in which passengers will be allowed to send e-mail and talk on cellphones during flights. Using just a single Airbus A318 that flies between European cities for a six-month test, Air France plans to provide in-flight connectivity to passengers by a satellite-based system that transmits data and voice to the ground networks. The service is free for passengers in the test, which Air France announced Thursday but started Monday. Air France is one of several airlines, including JetBlue and American, that are moving toward in-flight broadband Internet access.”

http://blogs.usatoday.com/sky/2007/12/bonus-bundle-5.html

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