FREE In-Flight Wi-Fi is the Latest Trend…
October 19th, 2009
The optimal price for inflight Wi-Fi seems to be … FREE. At least on Delta, AirTran, American and Virgin America. And at least through the end of this year. But we might start seeing even more freebies…and sponsorships.
Some more news today from Virgin America and Google– especially for those like us who have become addicted to in-flight Wi-Fi and expect it on EVERY flight. Especially those transcons! Although this offer has a time limit, we are thinking that this could be the beginning of a trend….free SPONSORED in-flight Wi-Fi. What do you think of that?
Here’s the announcement from Virgin:
San Francisco – Oct. 19, 2009 – Virgin America, the airline that is reinventing domestic travel, today announced an exclusive partnership with Google to offer free in-flight WiFi to all of its guests during the holidays. The two California-based companies known for innovation, entrepreneurialism and for connecting people in new ways, have again joined forces to give Virgin America fliers the gift of in-flight connection during the holiday travel season. From Nov. 10, 2009-Jan. 15, 2010, guests on all Virgin America flights will be able to check email, gift shop online, stay in touch with family and friends via social media, or just go wherever the web takes them – all for free. In May, Virgin America became the first airline to offer Gogo® Inflight Internet service on every flight. Here’s the whole story: http://www.freeholidaywifi.com
This comes on the heels of an announcement by a company called Row 44, which is working with Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines to install a new, free, commercially sponsored in-flight Wi-Fi system that works via satellite, versus the current Gogo systems which use a network of ground based antennae.
It appears the free wifi is a one time only offer… has anyone used those codes successfully for a subsequent flight?
I think, and correct me if I am wrong, the free Delta wifi is for one time first time use only…unless they just want us to THINK that. I have had an account and have not tried the free promotion code as I assumed that it wouldn’t work. However, I do know that for 50% off you can use the code SKYCLUB5 all you want for the rest of the calendar year. I used it twice the past week alone. Plus, it is for 24 hours, so when I flew to LGA and Reagan within 24 hours, I only had to pay once.