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[edit] Inflight Wi-Fi Service
Beginning in July 2008, AA is rolling out Aircell's Gogo Inflight Internet onboard Wi-Fi service on certain aircraft for domestic and Canadian flights. For more information, see the AA.com Inflight Wifi page and the Gogo inflight home page.
[edit] Availability
[edit] How can I tell if a flight has inflight Wi-Fi?
AA released an online wi-fi widget in Nov 2009, indicating which flights departing within the next 24 hours are expected to have wi-fi. Of course, last minute equipment changes may always occur and initial reports are that the widget is not completely accurate.
If your flight is on a 762 (Boeing 767-223ER), then you will have inflight wi-fi. Please note that 763 (Boeing 767-323ER) airplanes are not equipped with Wi-Fi as these planes are primarily used on international routes.
AA also announced on 31-MAR-09 that it would install the service on over 300 MD-80 and 737 aircraft by 2011. Installation on 150 MD-80 aircraft (out of 259 in service) began in May 2009 and was completed in Nov 2009.
The manufacturer's site, http://www.aircell.com also shows the number of aircraft which have the service available, but this covers ALL airlines, not just AA.
Service is available in the lower-48 US states, Canadian destinations, and Mexico destinations within 100 miles of the U.S. border.
[edit] Is it satellite based?
No. It is an air-to-ground system. Equipment on the plane transmits data to/from 100 ground-based antennas in the 800 MHz band, hence the coverage restrictions to the lower 48 states only.
[edit] What domestic destinations does AA serve with the 762?
Currently it's all flights on JFK-LAX plus selected flights on JFK-SFO, JFK-MIA and LAX-MIA. Please keep in mind that equipment substitutions do take place.
For specific schedules, out the "Widebody Schedules" for "USA Domestic" (on the right of the page) at aacargo.com
[edit] Does the 762 have onboard power?
Yes, all first and business class seats, plus several economy class seats have cigarette-lighter style power ports. For a map of economy class with power ports see here.
[edit] When is the service available?
From the time the airplane climbs through 10,000 feet (typically 6-10 minutes after takeoff) to the time it descends through 10,000 feet (typically 15 minutes prior to landing).
[edit] Access
[edit] How do I use it?
The SSID is gogoinflight; there's no encryption. Once connected, open a browser and follow the instructions to set up an account.
[edit] Can I access anything for free?
The entire AA.com site can be accessed directly. Select Wall Street Journal articles are also available via the Gogo splash page.
[edit] How much does it cost?
- Laptop: flights longer than 3 hours: $12.95; flights 3 hours or less: $9.95.
- Mobile device: flights of any length: $7.95.
Each device you use will incur a separate fee.
[edit] Do they offer day/monthly passes?
Yes, monthly passes are now available.
[edit] Are there any discounts available?
Gogo reps are usually stationed at the gate for flights with inflight Wi-Fi and may have cards with 25% discount codes available. Also check this thread.
[edit] Using the Service
[edit] How fast is it?
Plenty fast: Users have reported up to ~1.7 Mbps down (although more typically expect 400-600 kbps) and 290 kbps up (expect 150-200 kbps). Latency varies between 65-220 ms. However, it is a shared resource so YMMV and increased overall usage will lead to lower individual throughput.
AirCell does traffic prioritization, so expect iTunes downloads to crawl and most VoIP services (which are forbidden by the AA quiet-cabin policy) to fail.
[edit] Can I use a VPN?
Yes, and since the Wi-Fi link is unencrypted, it's probably a good thing to do.
[edit] How good is the coverage?
Plenty good; transcontinental users report a few minor drops (over the Rockies) over the entire flight.
[edit] Can I use it as a "poor airline's IFE"?
People have reported streaming video on the service.
[edit] Can I use it for VoIP?
AA has a quiet-cabin policy that prohibits the use of VoIP on flights. Gogo's inflight netiquette video also reminds users to mute the sound on their laptops or to use headphones, and to keep in mind that they are using your computer in a public setting. If you're disturbed by someone violating this policy please alert a flight attendant.
