In the wake of Southwest’s being recognized for the best on-time arrivals percentage for 2008, they have also announced the latest development in their Wi-Fi strategy … one which we at PingWi-Fi favor because of the plane-to-satellite technology. Here’s the news release:
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES TESTS THE INFORMATION SUPERSKYWAY
Airline Begins Customer Tests of InFlight Wi-Fi
DALLAS – Peanuts, pretzels, internet? That’s the question for some Southwest Airlines Customers today as the airline tests Wi-Fi. Southwest is the first to test new aircraft to satellite technology on commercial aircraft. Southwest Airlines, in conjunction with Row 44, has equipped one aircraft with the technology and is set to equip three additional aircraft by early March 2009.
Southwest is also partnering with Yahoo! to offer an in-flight homepage with destination-relevant content. Southwest will be testing the technology for the next few months.
For more information:
“Internet connectivity has been high on our list of priorities for quite some time,” said Dave Ridley, Southwest Airlines senior vice president of marketing and revenue management. “We believe the aircraft-to-satellite technology is the most robust solution in the industry, and we look forward to the feedback from our Customers.”
“Southwest is all about creating the best travel experience for their Customers,” said John Guidon, Row 44 chief executive officer. “We couldn’t be prouder that they’ve selected Row 44’s high-speed broadband to enhance their Customers’ experience yet again with Internet connectivity inflight.”
When Southwest Customers board the wi-fi enabled aircraft, they will be greeted with wi-fi placards and onboard instruction sheets. Those interested in using the service during the test period will have the opportunity to log on to the service free of charge via their own personal wi-fi enabled device (laptops, iPhones, wi-fi enabled smart phones, etc). Cellular technology will not work with the wi-fi service. The service is being offered on a trial basis, and has not yet received final FCC approval.
Southwest Airlines is also teaming with Yahoo! to offer an in-flight homepage that includes a one-of-a-kind flight tracker, as well as daily programming of local news and information. The new flight tracker will allow passengers to follow the plane’s flight path, and view “fly-over” points of interest along the route, with images from Flickr. The Yahoo!/Southwest homepage will be maintained by Yahoo!, and will include destination-relevant content such as local events, weather and news, as well as destination guides that highlight top restaurants, attractions and shopping. Also featured are a number of Yahoo! Games, perfect for wiling away the hours.
“For years, Yahoo! has given its users a 30,000 foot view of what’s happening in the world, and it’s exciting to have an opportunity to do so from 30,000 feet,” said Joanne Bradford, senior vice president of revenue and market development, Yahoo! “The Yahoo!-Southwest homepage will give passengers the information they need about what’s happening on the ground, before they land, so they can literally make on-the-fly decisions about their trip.”
And here is PingWi-Fi’s look at Southwest Wi-Fi previously on this blog:
