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Southwest Airlines Announces In-Flight WiFi

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]