Wi-Fi the Friendly Skies?

This morning, American Airlines issued a press release announcing its partnership with Illinois-based AirCell, which promises broadband Interwebs access on commercial airline flights. Says AirCell on its Web site, the service would be available on "personal Wi-Fi devices including laptops, 802.11 a/b/g -equipped devices, and mobile handheld devices," but not...

By Robert Wilonsky

August 1, 2007

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This morning, American Airlines issued a press release announcing its partnership with Illinois-based AirCell, which promises broadband Interwebs access on commercial airline flights. Says AirCell on its Web site, the service would be available on "personal Wi-Fi devices including laptops, 802.11 a/b/g -equipped devices, and mobile handheld devices," but not till 2008. Indeed, AA echoes that sentiment in its release: "The test will be conducted in 2008 on American’s Boeing 767-200 aircraft that primarily fly transcontinental routes." Till then, there's always telepathy. --Robert Wilonsky

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