Thursday, February 26, 2009

Alaska Airlines Trials Wi-Fi Service

Seattle-based Alaska Airlines announced Thursday that the firm is trialing a new, satellite-based wireless Internet service, starting with a flight this afternoon between Seattle and San Jose. Alaska said the trial--being conducted with Wi-Fi equipment provider Row 44--will equip its Boeing 737-700 with the ability to browse the Web and access other Internet services. Alaska said it will be running a trial for 60 days, after which it will determine a schedule for commercial availability of the service to its entire fleet of aircraft. The airline said it has been working for more than two years on "extensive" ground and inflight tests of the technology.