Comments on: American and Virgin America to launch in-flight WiFi soon

By: JamesMason

JamesMason — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I’m concerned that someone will use a parabolic reflector to concentrate the wi-fi and hijack the plane.

In the interest of safety, I think I’ll pass.

By: Tenn

Tenn — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

But won’t the terrists overtake the plane with the WiFi? Think of the Americans!

By: Baldhead

Baldhead — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Okay, numerous airlines around the world have been offering this for years. The only news aspect is that US- based airlines are finally getting over their irrational fear of wireless devices.

That is all.

By: ROSSINDETROIT

ROSSINDETROIT — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

But won’t the terrists overtake the plane with the WiFi? Think of the Americans!

If anyone is actually afraid of that (likely) then by definition they already have.

By: B2B

B2B — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

They should block most services that consume high bandwidth (anything that has video or voice). Let people use IM (with text only), mail (cap on downloads) and have a on-board server spreading the news and maybe videos from Red. But, is "wi-fly" a good idea? We'll have to wait and see ... hopefully not too late to act.

By: triakter

triakter — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ok, so let me make sure I understand the new rules…

My cell phone will crash the plane from the time the door closes right up until the moment the wheels touch the ground, after which it instantly becomes safe. My OTHER personal electronic devices, such as a laptop or PSP, are ok if the plane is above 10,000 feet; they don’t assume their plane-crashing power until final approach, but thereafter they maintain it all the way to the gate.

Connecting to a cell tower or even an in-plane ad-hoc network of your own will still crash the plane, but aiplane super-scientists have developed a new magic wi-fi that doesn’t interfere with the plane’s navigation system if you pay for it. It even works with your device’s existing wi-fi adapter!

But remember, it’s magic wi-fi and comes through a series of magic ev-do tubes. The connections you’re already paying for are still interwoven with the plane’s navigation system like a metastasized tumor.

If this all sounds like a crock, perhaps you should refer to the conclusive white paper on the subject in the June issue of the Journal of TSA Science.

By: Justin Ried

Justin Ried — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

One of the coolest in-flight experiences I’ve had was using the “Connexion by Boeing” WiFi service that Scandinavian Airlines began offering in early 2005. Being able to sign in to iChat somewhere over Greenland and IM with my buddy Carlo was a pretty awesome thing. He posted about it here:

http://c-lo.net/?p=88

It wasn’t cheap at $30 per flight, but definitely worth it – for the novelty alone. Unfortunately, Boeing discontinued the service in August 2006. It was fun while it lasted!

I’m glad to hear that Virgin is stepping up to the plate; the flights I’ve had with them so far have all been very enjoyable.

By: Jen Leo

Jen Leo — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Oooh this week for AA? I’m eagerly awaiting Wi-Fi from Virgin America but excited about any airline adding this service. Last I heard American Airlines was talking about passengers testing it “this summer”.

Airlines look to reconnect to the Web
http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-airweb17-2008jun17

By: Poobot

Poobot — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Tell Virgin they need to work on getting wifi to their cell service jeez

By: WalterSear

WalterSear — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I would hazaed that you won’t need to worry about bandwidth sharing – there is no way they are going to charge a reasonable amount for this.

By: jenjen

jenjen — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I thought I had read elsewhere that VOIP would be specifically disallowed due to concerns about annoyance as expressed in comment #2.

By: bjacques

bjacques — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I hope the price is like your average cybercafe. If they do it like telephone calls ($5/minute, 3 minute minimum) I’m sticking with books and gods help any moron who keeps me awake. Is passive(-aggressive) RF mischief feasible?

By: tmccartney

tmccartney — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Virgin America spokesperson needs to learn the difference between it’s and its.

By: ModusNYC

ModusNYC — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

How is this even news? Mossberg posted his review on the 19th and clearly states that the service, GoGo, from Aircell would launch this week.

@grimc
VoIP is blocked, so don’t worry about that.

@B2B
The service runs over EV-DO on cell towers.

By: dirtdirt

dirtdirt — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I am curious if Apple (and other “PDA” manufacturers) will address this. With an iPhone “airplane” mode turns off all wireless, try and turn on just WiFi and ALL wireless turns back on. So are iPhone users out of luck?

And, obviously, if a cellphone powers up while a plane is in flight the plane will surely crash.

By: Raines Cohen

Raines Cohen — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I just flew JetBlue and saw the webpage promoting the BetaBlue service. No predicting whether you end up on the one plane equipped for it, though. It sounds like it's email only, selected providers, at least initially.

By: grimc

grimc — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Skype? My increased interest in flying Virgin for WiFi is heavily outweighed by my fear that I’ll be stuck next to some idiot yapping into a phone. I’ll pass.

By: sunbreaks

sunbreaks — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The real question is when they'll be implementing this at Bunway Airlines.