Alaska Airlines Goes For In-Flight Internet

Alaska Airlines is planning to launch satellite-based in-flight Internet service from Row 44, using Wi-Fi hotspots in airplane cabins.

Alaska Airlines has announced plans to deploy in-flight Internet connectivity using a combination of in-cabin Wi-Fi hotspots and a ku-band satellite system from Row 44. The first test airplane will be a Boeing 737 due to be operation in “spring 2008,” and—assuming all goes well—roll out the technology to the carrier’s 114-plane fleet by the end of 2009.

“Bringing broadband Internet access to the skies is one of the most important things we can do to enhance the experience of both business and leisure customers,” said Alaska’s vp of sales Steve Jarvis, in a statement. “We’re moving ahead with testing, and ultimately plan to bring wireless broadband to our whole fleet.”

Row 44’s technology uses the same ku-band satellite access pioneered by Boeing’s canceled Connexion in-flight Internet service, but Row 44 has apparently been working for a couple years to make the system lighter, smaller, and more bandwidth efficient. Unlike systems which connect flyers to ground-based cellular networks, Row 44’s satellite systems will be available over areas which don’t have cellular access—you know, like oceans. Alaska operates a number of over-water flights to Hawaii, Alaska, and Mexico. Customers connect to the service using in-cabin Wi-Fi hotspots, which are in turn connected to a radome on top of the plane which houses an antenna for transferring data to and from satellites.

Other air carriers are looking to get on board with inflight Internet services: the UK’s RyanAir inked the first fleet-wide commitment to the technology, and should have plans coming online in early 2008. Discount carrier Southwest is also reportedly getting ready to commit to inflight Internet service, as well.