Virgin was the first to install WiFi on all aircraft

The Americans do not see this, but at a height of 10 km above their heads, a real technological war is now going on.

A race broke out between the airlines, who was the first to be able to establish a WiFi connection on their continental flights, so that the Network was available throughout the flight. When they do this, we will finally be able to monitor live webcams from each aircraft in real time, as well as watch disasters live on the Internet. Virgin America was the

first to install WiFi on absolutely all its aircraft yesterday . Today Virgin will hold a solemn launch of the service - for this, the famous Oprah Winfrey will be put on a plane, and she will broadcast live via Skype. In fact, the use of VoIP on board is prohibited, but for Oprah they made an exception to the rule.

Unfortunately, the Internet is only available on continental flights in the United States, because the AirCell Gogo system works through ground towers.

By mid-summer, WiFi on all of its aircraft (136 Boeings) will also be delivered by AirTran. In a hurry, it establishes hot spots in Delta Air Lines airline salons (300 aircraft), which they should finish by the end of summer. Interestingly, all airlines without exception install Aircell Gogo. Installing the system on one plane costs about $ 100 thousand.

All this rush looks pretty amazing, because most planes are poorly adapted for normal use with a laptop. Firstly, at every place in the cabin there is no additional outlet. Secondly, the laptop simply has nowhere to put, so that it is convenient to type text - if you put it on your knees, you have to curl up in a strange pose. However, WiFi on board is almost the only hope for airlines to increase passenger traffic.

AirCell Gogo service at Virgin America will cost $ 7.95 for a handheld device, $ 9.95 for flights shorter than three hours, and $ 12.95 for longer flights. Most likely, on other airlines the tariff schedule will be approximately (or exactly) the same.

via NY Times