Right before New Year's, we heard a rumor that Southwest Airlines would be offering in-flight WiFi sometime this year. Today the carrier announced that it will test satellite-based broadband on four aircraft this summer.

Going the satellite route differentiates the product from what Virgin America and American Airlines are planning; both are working with a company called Aircell. Southwest is partnering with Row 44, the same folks who are putting together an in-flight Internet service for Alaska Airlines. The benefit of a satellite system is that it works anywhere, not just over land.

Obviously this is a play to make passengers feel more productive, per Southwest's new (annoying) advertising campaign. But the Airline Biz Blog is wondering why the carrier would bother with a system that works over the ocean. Could international routes be in the works?

Related Stories:
· Southwest's Internet Announcement [Official Site]
· Southwest and Broadband [ABB]
· Southwest Secretly Preparing In-Flight WiFi [Jaunted]
· Jaunted Guide to Airborne Internet [Jaunted]

[Photo: Drewski2112]]]> pbb 2008-01-23T16:44:32-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/12/12/164811/47

The race is on to deliver broadband and wireless internet to the American flying public, and while we've heard plenty of talk, the action is unfolding at a pace that make our old dial-up connection seem downright speedy. Of the four major carriers announcing plans to launch on-board services in the US next year or so, only JetBlue has scheduled actual Internet-ready flights--and the execution, while laudable, was a bit underwhelming.

Yeah, yeah, we know. This is new technology and getting connected--and staying connected--will probably take some time. From the looks of things, it could be well over a year (or even two) before we can watch an entire YouTube video at 35,000 feet, or even send an email with an attachment. Until the dream becomes a reality, we'll just have to subsist on press releases and promises alone.

While we wait, we've put together a guide to all the airlines working on in-flight WiFi. After the jump, what to expect, how it works and when to expect it.]]> The Lost Girl 2007-12-13T09:35:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/11/9/10350/2198

Maybe Alaska Airlines should take cues from the Bible verses it prints on every in-flight meal tray. (Yep, travelers get to eat overcooked chicken with the New Testament). Despite its holy-roller reputation, the carrier has, according to passengers, forgotten the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

With tales of lost luggage, constant delays, poor customer service and stolen items, the company's netted a spot in Forbes' recently released lineup of America's worst airlines. The carrier mishandled 6.6 out of every 1,000 bags, and arrived on-time only 72.8 percent of the time, according to the Department of Transportation.

These passengers have had it]]> laurenuta 2007-11-09T12:30:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/9/19/17213/9026

Alaska Airlines wasn't content to watch Virgin America and American Airlines race to see who would be the first to offer in-flight WiFi. So they've jumped into the game with a plan to offer satellite 'net access on at least one flight by next spring. And Alaska is going a different way, choosing the Row 44 to develop its system, rather than market powerhouse AirCell.

JetBlue, don't forget, is also trying to develop an in-flight system, but has been quiet about progress--or lack of progress--as of late. American wants to get its system working on 767s first, then consider a fleet-wide deployment. And remember, Virgin America says it will equip all its jets by 2008.

We're eager to see who will be the first to finish. Until then:
· Airline to Test Wi-Fi for Passengers [AP]
· Quantas and Shenzen Airlines Also Getting into the WiFi Race [LAT]
· American Airlines Announced WiFi Plans Back In August [Jaunted]
· Virgin America Says It Will Have Skype Available... [Jaunted]
· But Mark Ashley Doesn't Want to Hear Your Phone Calls [Upgrade: Travel Better]

[Photo: Alaska Airlines]]]> pbb 2007-09-19T17:05:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/8/28/9952/29698

Alaska Airlines is looking about as good as Britney Spears these days. Yesterday, one of the company's Boeing 737's bumped another while backing out of a gate at LAX, damaging the aircraft but causing no injuries. (This just days after a near-collision at the airport.) Passengers were rebooked, but obviously had to wait around for their new flights.

Of course, that's better than being trapped on planes like Alaska's Mexico to LA passengers. After a Customs computer meltdown, passengers weren't let off their planes for hours. We'll give Alaska credit here, though. They weren't at fault for the computer problem, and they doled out the food, drinks and even baby formula to customers.

Bad as it is, being stuck on the ground might be better than being scared in the air: In the past few weeks, multiple Alaska flights have experienced cabin pressurization problems. On at least one flight, oxygen masks deployed. We only assume that adults put their masks on before assisting children. Neglecting children? Hey, they really are channeling Britney!

Related Stories:
· Close Call at LAX [Jaunted]
· Cabin Pressure Trouble [USA Today]

[Photo: compujeramey]]]> pbb 2007-08-28T10:00:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/5/14/154239/901

Don't get me wrong: I like people as a concept. It's just that actual people keep ruining it for me.

While suffering through a delay this morning at San Francisco International Airport, we caught this wild salmon hanging outside on the tarmac.

That's Alaska Airlines' "Salmon-Thirty-Salmon" promo airplane which the airline introduced last year as  a way to celebrate/demonstrate//inform the public about the carrier's role in transporting millions of pounds of fresh salmon and other seafood out of Alaska each year.

The "Salmon-Thirty-Salmon," sporting the glimmering image of a wild Alaska king salmon, is among the world's most intricately painted commercial airplanes. Complete with shiny scales, a dorsal fin and gills, the livery on the Alaska Airlines 737-400 passenger aircraft is the result of a dedicated team of 30 painters working nearly nonstop for 24 days.

Unfortunately, from our vantage point we could not see the fish head so you'll have to rely on the pic after the jump.

Related Stories:
· Alaska Airlines takes flying fish to a whole new level [Anchorage Daily News]
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