Delta Air Lines offers in-flight internet access on 6 domestic flights

Delta Air Lines, based and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, has launched Wi-Fi in-flight internet service on 6 of its aircraft as a prelude to its plan to provide the wireless access service on all of its 330-jet domestic fleet by 2009.

The in-flight internet service named Gogo, provided by Aircell, will be available on 5 MD-88 planes flying Delta’s shuttle routes between New York’s LaGuardia Airport, Boston’s Logan Airport and Washington’s Reagan Airport, besides one Boeing 757 aircraft that flies domestically.

Gogo enables customers travelling with Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs, to access the internet, email, and use instant messaging.

Wi-Fi service has been introduced partially in recent years, and most United States-based domestic airlines are now launching the service. However, telephoning capability via VoIP will be blocked in accordance with government regulations so that those using the Wi-Fi facility do not bother fellow passengers. Websites with pornographic content will also be blocked.

In a statement, Delta Air Lines said the service would be available for passengers of Delta free of cost through December 31, 2008, after which the airline will charge $13 for a flight longer than three hours and $10 for shorter flights.

The airline also said it is expecting to have 10 aircraft equipped with the air-to-ground broadband network by the end of 2008. By 2009, Delta will add Wi-Fi to its fleet across the United States.

Northwest Airlines, which Delta Air Lines bought recently, is expected to start providing in-flight internet facility by the end of 2009.

Tim Mapes, Delta’s senior vice-president (marketing), explained in the statement: “In-flight internet access is one of the most popular requests we receive from our customers. In 2009, when Gogo is available on our entire domestic mainline fleet, our customers will have access to the most extensive Wi-Fi network in the sky.”

However, Delta Air Lines will provide a censored version of the Web for any Wi-Fi device. Passengers can access e-mail, surf the Web, and use instant messaging. “VoIP calls, pornographic websites and any other content the company deems inappropriate for public consumption will be restricted,” Tim Mapes said.

So far, the United States-based carriers American Airlines and Virgin America have been offering in-flight internet services to its customers with Aircell’s Gogo.

American Airlines is offering the service on some of its trans-continental flights.

Virgin America has one aircraft equipped with the in-flight internet service and is expected to have a total of 5 such aircraft by the end of 2008.

Another in-flight wireless access service, offered by Row 44, a company based in southern California, the United States, is being deployed in many other airlines.