Where would we be without Internet access?  For some, being offline for more than a few minutes can cause mild panic and withdraw symptoms.   Fortunately, as Internet service providers deploy increasing amounts of wireless infrastructure, such as 4G wireless and WiMAX networks, the thirst for broadband can easily be quenched for those willing to pay for it.

While ground based wireless networks continue penetrating into regions to which the Internet was once inaccessible, the billions of people that fly each year have only slowly seen implementation of in-flight wireless Internet access.  In an era of cutbacks by the airlines, which no longer offer free meals and snacks, movies, checked baggage, and pillows, it’s not hard to understand why in-flight wireless hasn’t been a huge priority.  But as consumer’s lives become more connected, demand for these airborne IT services is increasing to the point that those airlines unwilling to offer these services may see passengers defect to their more compliant competitors (thus the beauty of capitalism…innovate or die).

On a series of recent six hour cross country flights, I got to experience the need for in-flight broadband first hand.  And really, the offering, whether modeled as a free or pay service, is a “no-brainer”, since most airline passengers travel for business purposes and an online presence for business communication is more important than ever.  Cramped in my Airbus A330 seat and one of six people in a row that has no business seating more than five, I found it interesting to see what people did to occupy themselves for the flight’s duration.  While most read books and magazines or listened to MP3 players, there were a few Kindle users and iPhone movie watchers.  These tended to occupy their users for about two hours, while the free Skymall magazine was good for another half hour of idle entertainment.  But about midway through the flight though, I think most people with laptops in the overhead compartment (hopefully not one of these) would have easily paid for some Internet access and communication with the outside world.

This is the expanding market on which the airlines in partnership with in-flight wireless Internet companies, such as Aircell, have to and are finally beginning to capitalize. Currently, in-flight broadband is sparsely offered on 572 (as of 10/8/08) American, Virgin, Delta, and  AirTran flights, although U.S Airways has announced limited service rollouts by November 2009 and Southwest is experimenting with a free, advertiser funded service.  For $9.95 on flights less than 3 hours and $12.95 on longer flights, Aircell’s Gogo offers up to 2Mbps 802.11 WiFi censored broadband (sorry…no VoIP or porn).  Eventually, it would be nice to see frequent flier packages and accommodations for people with long layovers.

The technology piggybacks, in the case of Aircell’s Gogo, on several cell phone towers across North America with EVDO transmitters directed skyward.  An antenna located on the underside of the airplane receives these signals thus allowing them to be converted into the standard short-range 802.11a/b/g WiFi to which we’re all accustomed.  While the theoretical 2Mbps throughput (actual rates vary) is sufficient for web surfing and email, don’t expect to stream yourself a Netflix movie via the connection.

But given the sheer boredom into which most fliers fall at some point during their flight, the airlines should be salivating over this untapped source of revenue.  For those of us who don’t often fly first class, any relief from the unpleasantness inherent to flying would be well worth the current price points offered by Aircell.  Now if they’d only bring back the movie…