American Airlines is making a big change and customers are sure to reap the benefits.
The carrier has rolled out satellite-based broadband and wifi to its entire mainline narrow-body fleet and now flyers will have the option to check emails, shop online, and watch movies while they’re in the air.
American’s fleet consists of over 700 aircraft and includes Boeing 737, Airbus A319, and Airbus A320. Those passengers traveling on domestic routes will be offered Internet access sure to calm the nerves of those waiting on important emails or wanting to catch up on the latest episodes of guilty pleasure reality television.
American Airlines has upgraded every aircraft with either Gogo 2Ku or ViaSat KA satellite-based broadband wifi. The service also includes access to 12 live streamed TV channels.
Both international and U.S flights will offer the service but it’s only free for Apple Music subscribers. The rest of the traveling population will have to fork over a few dollars per flight, surely less than a month’s bill of Internet service at home. The cost depends upon how much access time you want.
The price depends on what package you want and when you purchase it. A pre-purchased, all-day pass is $16, but waiting until you’re inflight increases the cost to $19. If you prefer a limited amount of time, you can get a two-hour or four-hour pass. Both are available in-flight and cost $12 and $17 respectively.
Limited access is ideal for short flights or those needing to limit screen time. Given these choices, the pre-purchased day pass seems to be the most cost-effective, especially if you have a long flight or multiple same-day flights.
Either way, both provide an alternative to the in-flight entertainment that American Airlines has also reportedly eliminated.
According to the article, everyone brings their own devices, which removes the need for seatback entertainment systems. As a result, the airline will replace its in-flight entertainment system with tablet/phone holders, making “dinner and a movie” viewing hands-free. Alternatively, you could work, too. For those who don’t have their own devices, American Airlines will carry some that can be rented for the duration of the flight.
The process to offer fleet-wide wifi internet access has been a long one for the carrier. And while it has taken several years so far, the upgrades continue.
Up next for the airline is to install individual power outlets for every seat of the main line fleet. That’s right! Passengers will have the opportunity to work, play or watch on your devices all while charging it. No more worries about low battery power or the screen dying just as you reach the climax of that must-see episode.
So plug in, tune in to some relaxing music and take a nap. When you land you’ll be relaxed and both you and your device will be ready to work long into the night.
Are you an American Airlines flyer? Will you use the new in-flight wifi, download your shows before you leave home, or do you prefer to go old-school and read paper-based materials? Tell us how you entertain yourself in the air on our Facebook page, or on our Twitter stream. You can also find us on our Instagram page at @TravelproIntl.
Photo credit: Alan Wilson (Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons 2.0)