Louisville-based AirCell LLC has signed American Airlines as the first U.S. carrier to test its high-speed broadband Internet access in flight.
American signed a memorandum of intent with AirCell to be the first U.S. airline to test the ability to offer high-speed Internet access in 2008 on American’s Boeing 767-200 aircraft flying mostly transcontinental routes. The access will be available for a fee in all classes on the aircraft.
The plan is to offer a high-speed Internet connection, VPN access and e-mail through Wi-Fi-enabled laptops and personal devices. If it is successful, American could add the technology to the rest of its domestic fleet.
The technology will use two antennas on the bottom of the plane and one on top of the plane, as well as AirCell cellular towers throughout the continental United States. Passengers inside the cabin would receive 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi signals.
AirCell is offering the technology through an exclusive Federal Communications Commission license it won last year, and is subject to Federal Aviation Administration requirements.
Staff writer Kelly Yamanouchi can be reached at 303-954-1488 or at kyamanouchi@denverpost.com .
