| In flight internet is a relatively new amenity for | | | | currently being tested that offers satellite service |
| domestic travel. Most of the major airlines now | | | | that works slightly differently and offers better |
| have some portions of their fleets wifi enabled. | | | | coverage. |
| Just how does this service work? How can you | | | | Pricing for these services can vary widely. Some |
| use it? And, what are the risks involved with using | | | | airlines offer a "red eye" discount and others have |
| the in flight internet systems? This guide can help | | | | monthly plans for frequent travelers. Service |
| you in answering those questions for your next | | | | levels are all currently at the same level. So, you |
| flight. | | | | can't upgrade your connection. Most services |
| First, a little history. Boeing was the first firm to | | | | come in around 0.80 - 1.0 Mbps download rate. |
| pioneer air travel in flight internet access in the | | | | When you go to book your next trip there are a |
| late 1990's. Their program, Connexion was the | | | | couple of things to be mindful of. If your seat is |
| firm that offered this service to the airline | | | | not equipped with an electrical outlet be sure to |
| industry. They had partnered with American | | | | bring extra batteries depending on your laptop's or |
| Airlines, Delta and United. The terrorist attacks of | | | | other internet device's batter life. Another is to |
| 9/11 hurt the airline industry so badly that these | | | | read the details on the connection filtering. Some |
| major domestic carriers withdrew their | | | | airlines block access to certain sites or services |
| commitments. After a number of years, costly | | | | that utilize a large amount of bandwidth. Keep in |
| and heavy equipment the service was eventually | | | | mind that at any time the pilots and flight crew |
| shutdown in the mid 2000's with little revenue and | | | | and disable internet access if they deem there to |
| success. The next years a number of services | | | | be a security risk. |
| started to pop up that offered cheaper and | | | | Things that you should be careful about when |
| lighter equipment that could be deployed in aircraft | | | | using the internet service are generally the same |
| much faster. Internet service in airplanes started | | | | as using your local coffee shop's wireless internet. |
| to become a reality 2008. | | | | You're in a small confined area where it can be |
| As we discuss coverage of the wifi network it is | | | | hard not to glance at your neighbor's laptop |
| important to note the difference between the | | | | screen. Handling your monthly bill payments is |
| airplane's own internal wireless network and the | | | | probably not the greatest idea. The security for in |
| network that the airplane communicates with to | | | | flight internet access is minimal. Right now in flight |
| establish your internet connection. The internal | | | | internet is great for email, social networking, etc. |
| network is what you use to gain the internet | | | | Streaming TV like Hulu or other high bandwidth |
| connection. The coverage on the airplane is nearly | | | | uses can be spotty at times depending on the |
| 100%. Of course, there are always weaker areas | | | | access speed. |
| or "dead spots" where the signal is very weak or | | | | As the service providers utilize ever more |
| non-existent. However, given the size of | | | | advanced technology such as moving towards |
| commercial aircraft reports of current usage have | | | | satellites the bandwidth has excellent potential to |
| shown little issue here. | | | | increase. Testing has showed the speeds |
| The accessibility of the internet by the plane can | | | | delivered by most moderate DSL providers in the |
| vary depending on your destination and departing | | | | 3 - 5 Mbps range. Some airlines have been testing |
| airports and where your flight path takes you. | | | | the use of live streaming of media to supplement |
| The majority of services offered today rely on a | | | | the need to offer in flight movies and |
| type of cell phone tower. Instead of broadcasting | | | | entertainment. |
| a signal out towards the ground they simply | | | | Don't forget this in flight internet can be used by |
| speak to the skies to receive and send data from | | | | more things than just your laptop. Depending on |
| airplanes above. Just as you have areas of poor | | | | the airline you can connect your internet enabled |
| reception with your cell phone the skies | | | | mobile gaming devices or smart phones or tablet |
| experience the same thing, however these are | | | | computers. Be sure to read the fine print before |
| primarily found when traveling off the coast of | | | | purchasing internet service for your next flight |
| the United States or Canada where the cell | | | | that way you know what to expect. |
| towers don't quite reach. There is another service | | | | |