If you're anything like me, by now you're used to hearing the latest "how-the-airlines-are-going-to-screw-me-over-now" news stories. For the cause of saving the airlines' gas money, we've lost free baggage checking, free food, and free drinks. We have to pay extra to reserve window, aisle, and exit row seating. One by one, the pleasures of airline flying are being taken away.
That's why I was excited to read that American Airlines is trying a new approach: offering something extra. Starting Wednesday, passengers on select flights will be able to test in-flight internet service. In the coming weeks, the internet will be made more widely available, for a cost of about 10-13$, depending on flight length. There will not be any attempt by the airline to filter what passengers have access to; any inappropriate material, such as pornography, will fall under the same category as a carried-on magazine or DVD, and flight attendants will be responsible as always for enforcing protocol.
It remains to be seen whether this internet service will be worth the money. Of course, if it's painfully slow, intermittent, or otherwise unreliable, I don't imagine it'll take off. (No pun intended, but now that I've made it, HA!) On the other hand, if I could chat with my friends, watch You Tube videos, read movie trivia, or even update the Goose from 30,000 feet, I'd probably fork over the 10$. Sure is a hell of a lot more tempting than that 5$ bag of "trail mix".
To find out more, visit http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/coming-soon-internet-at-30000-feet/20080624143909990001
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