'Nerd birds' blaze trail as in-flight Wi-Fi takes off

AIRLINE TECHNOLOGY:WHERE THERE'S A wallet there's a way, it seems, even at 30,000ft. After embracing mobile technology and offering passengers ways to use their phones from the air – all at a premium, of course – the airline industry is starting to offer in-flight Wi-Fi.

By the end of the year America Airlines will have equipped more than 300 of its aircraft with wireless broadband, charging users $12.95 (€9) on flights of more than three hours and $9.95 (€7) on shorter ones. Travellers using hand-held devices, such as BlackBerrys and iPhones, will be charged a flat fee of $7.95 (€5.50).

This follows moves by other US carriers, with Delta installing Wi-Fi on 70 per cent of its domestic fleet and Virgin America, jetBlue and Southwest all offering Wi-Fi.

Alaska Airlines’ “nerd bird” route, between the high-tech hubs of Austin, Texas, and San Jose, California, has Wi-Fi connectivity as standard.

On this side of the Atlantic, British Airways this week launched a new business-class service, with Wi-Fi access, between London City Airport and Kennedy Airport. The aircraft on the route, which carry just 32 passengers, will refuel at Shannon on their way to Kennedy Airport.

BA had previously said passengers preferred non-wired cabins. Its change of heart is perhaps due to recent surveys showing strong customer demand for in-flight connectivity – although for now it has turned off its system’s voice-call capability, so that passengers aren’t irritated by mobile-phone chatter.

Ryanair offers its passengers the ability to make and receive calls, as well as to access their e-mail from their smartphones, aboard 50 of its flights.

“Usage is increasing each month as passengers embrace the service. Ryanair continues to explore on-board Wi-Fi,” said Stephen McNamara of the airline, before adding: “We have no immediate plans to offer it as we continue to grow our on-board mobile service.”

Aer Lingus is considering in-flight Wi-Fi access for long-haul flights. “Aer Lingus is also planning to offer further enhancements to its IFE [in-flight entertainment] system and is currently looking at providing e-mail and text- messaging facilities on its US flights. Broadband Wi-Fi internet access is on the airline’s agenda and is under review,” said a spokesperson.