Alaska Airlines says it will be the first US carrier to test a satellite-based in-flight wireless internet service next year.
If it works, Alaska may add the service to all 114 of its aircraft.
There have been several other efforts across the industry to offer passengers Internet access while they’re traveling.
Seattle-based Alaska plans to install Westlake Village, Calif.-based Row 44 Inc.’s broadband service on one Boeing 737 jet next spring, according to wire service reports.
Customers with Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as laptops or smart phones, will connect to the system through wireless hotspots in the aircraft cabin. A dome-shaped device mounted on top of the plane will house the antenna that receives and transmits satellite signals.
Alaska Airlines, the nation’s ninth-largest carrier, is researching various pricing options, spokeswoman Amanda Tobin Bielawski said.
AMR Corp.’s American Airlines has also announced it would test a high-speed air-to-ground Internet service on some of its Boeing 767 jets.
AirCell LLC said it would build cellular towers throughout the continental US to transmit the broadband signals.
AirCell said American will charge a fee.
Report by David Wilkening
