United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
American to test in-flight broadband
High-speed broadband connectivity is to be tested by American Airlines on US domestic flights next year.
The experiment will be conducted on Boeing 767-200 aircraft that primarily fly transcontinental routes.
Passengers will have access to a high-speed internet connection, VPN and e-mail capabilities through Wi-Fi-enabled laptops and PDA devices in all classes for an unspecified fee.
If the connectivity solution is successful, it could be extended to the rest of the airline’s domestic fleet.
The technology will use three antennas installed on the outside of the aircraft. Technology firm AirCell will provide cellular towers throughout the continental US to transmit the signal. The signals received will be 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi signals.
The technology from AirCell is subject to strict requirements set by the US Federal Aviation Administration through an exclusive license from the Federal Communications Commission. Both agencies oversee the use of broadband and wireless signals by aircraft flying over the continental US.
The airline’s marketing executive vice-president Dan Garton said: “We understand that broadband connectivity is important to our business customers and others who want to use their PDAs and laptops for real-time, inflight broadband communications.
“We consider it a 30,000-foot answer to many of our business travellers’ needs.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Report: Cruise guest died after ship lashed in heavy storm
British teen in serious condition after paraglider collision