WABE: ATL Becomes "Focus Market" for In-flight Internet Company (2009-08-17)

Business

ATL Becomes "Focus Market" for In-flight Internet Company

Jim Burress (2009-08-17)

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ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - Just one year ago, American Airlines was the first domestic carrier to offer in-flight Internet service. Since then, six other airlines have signed on. Atlanta-based Delta Airlines is in the process of equipping all of its domestic aircraft with the setup, and AirTran already has its planes outfitted.

Marketed under the name "Gogo," the company behind the service is Illinois-based Aircell. Company vice president Niels Steenstrup says Atlanta has become the provider's biggest market.

"It's becoming ubiquitous," says Steenstrup. "If you're flying out of here, there's a very high probability you're going to be on a flight that has GoGo on it, and you can connect on your flight."

Steenstrup says Aircell is outfitting about a plane a day here at the cost of $100,000 each. To connect, traveler pays between about $6 and $13 per flight, depending on flight length.

The airlines share in fees collected, but the company won't say how much they get.

Jim Burress, WABE News.
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