Wi-Fi Sky - United Airlines to equip 200 regional jets with Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is requisite for all the tech-savvy users to keep their smart phones, tablets, laptops and other devices connected to the internet. Now-a-days, Wi-Fi is installed on almost every train station, mall, airports and cafes. Several airlines are also offering in-flight Wi-Fi services. United Airlines also joined the league and announced that it will equip United Express regional jets with two cabins with Wi-Fi and personal device entertainment.

The airline will install the ATG-4 advanced air-to-ground Wi-Fi product by Gogo on more than 200 of its larger aircrafts from E170, E175 and CRJ700 series. The United Airlines plans to complete the installation of Wi-Fi by next summer, allowing the passengers to enjoy movies and TV shows on their personal Wi-Fi enabled devices with iOS and Android. The passengers will be able to stream videos using the United Airlines’ mobile app. This service is also available for laptop users.

Jeff Foland, Executive Vice President of Marketing, Technology and Strategy expressed delight that United Airlines is extending its personal device entertainment and Wi-Fi platform to the regional jets fleet. The E170, E175 and CRJ700 series aircrafts will be the first ever regional jets in the U.S. which will have Gogo’s new generation in-flight connectivity services with triple the peak speed of connectivity as compared to the original service.

The charges for Wi-Fi access have not been revealed, but video streaming will be free of cost.

United Airlines is investing largely in the United Express fleet including:

• 120 new E175 regional jet fleet, with larger overhead bins, 12 seats in United First and 16 United Economy Plus seats
• In 2015, it will also offer freshly prepared food for premium-cabin passengers

United Airlines also plans to initiate a trial of 2Ku satellite Wi-Fi by Gogo on five of its aircraft operating Premium Service between New York JFK-Los Angeles and New York JFK-San Francisco.