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TAM Tweaks Their In-Flight WiFi to Include Long-Haul Flights

It’s been some time since we heard about TAM Airlines and their new in-flight technology, but now is a perfect moment to revisit the topic as they’re beginning to expand their travel tech.

While in-flight WiFi is available on certain short-haul trips, the big news is that TAM is now bringing the magic of in-flight accessibility to some of their long-haul flights as well. They’ll be using OnAir to provide all the behind-the-scenes magic, as they start to equip their Boeing 777s along with Airbus A330s and A350s. In total there should be roughly 80 jets when the mechanics, electricians, and engineers finally hang up their wrenches and wire cutters.

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In-Flight WiFi / OnAir / TAM / Airline News / WiFi / Technology / South America Travel / Brazil Travel / → All Tags

In-Flight Phone Calls and Texting Hit Brazil's TAM Airlines

Jeez, it wasn't all that long ago when In-Flight WiFi seemed like it would be a rare dream occurrence, but then the airlines really got with it and set their sights on connectivity solutions for passengers. The newest airline to join the in-flight WiFi club is Brazil's TAM, who recently announced that internet is now available on select Airbus A321s, operating between Guarulhos, Recife, Natal, Fortaleza and Porto Alegre.

But wait! TAM's partnership with OnAir for this connectivity is more than just the internet; passengers can now also make and receive phone calls and send and receive text messages on GPRS networks from their GSM phones. Of course your plane must be at cruising altitude before you can hit "power," but once you are, up to 8 passengers can use the calling and texting signal at once.

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This is the Future! Oman Air Successfully Starts Long-Haul In-Flight WiFi

Happy Friday! Oman Air is officially the first airline to get long-haul in-flight WiFi up and running on one of its planes (Lufthansa's abandoned FlyNet of years ago doesn't really count).

Oman Air, which is already known for having some of the poshest airplane bathrooms, has just added to their in-flight amenities with all sorts of fun connectivity. The excellent announcements comes after a successful first flight with the WiFi onboard an Airbus A330 between Muscat and London-Heathrow. It might not be a super long-haul, 13+hour flight, but it's better than nothing.

The service is from OnAir, a company that hasn't worked to supply any US carrier with in-flight WiFi, although maybe they should think about it. Plus, the WiFi is joined by Oman Air's GSM/GPRS abilty, which allows passengers with the proper GSM/GPRS phones to make phone calls and even text message from 35,000 feet up. SWEEET.

Related Stories:
· Mobile and WiFi Internet Access on Oman Air [AsiaTravelTips]
· Phone Home from Oman Air, as They Allow In-Flight Cell Phones and Texting [Jaunted]
· In-Flight WiFi [Jaunted]

[Photo: drewski2112]