Travelers flying on Virgin America over the holidays will get free in-flight Wi-Fi thanks to Google, the companies said Monday.
Google and Virgin America are teaming up to offer free Wi-Fi Internet service for all Virgin America passengers traveling between November 10, 2009, and January 15, 2010.
The Gogo Wi-Fi service, which was rolled out to Virgin America’s entire fleet of planes in May, is normally available for $12.95 for flights of over three hours. It’s $9.95 for flights between one and a half hours and three hours. Flights of less than an hour and a half are $5.95. There’s a special deal for people using smartphones and other Wi-Fi enabled handhelds that costs $7.95 for flights over one and a half hours.
Well, whoop-de-fricken-doo!
It is very likely that this isn’t going to cost Google a single cent. From Wired.com http://bit.ly/SsFbg
Somehow, all the catchy words did not result in anything exciting.
Holidays
Free
Wifi
GoGo
Virgins
Free Virgins for the Holidays on WiFi Airlines…much more better.
Har!
Obligatory:
Oh NOW they can handle wireless devices on the planes. But before (not too long ago) it was turn off everything electronic, it might screw with the plane’s NavCom and cause it to crash. Ignoring all the electronics already built into commercial airplanes. Like Microwave ovens! But kids video games, “ohhh!, shut them down sir!” Are we really buying it, that they managed to re-insulate the planes against stray RFI? I seriously doubt they did a damn thing. But wired in the WiFi units and said, “Ok, let those make some money.” What a crock that they forced everyone to turn off their puters, until they could figure out a way to profit from it. Free for now, yeah. But later, it’ll cost you plenty.
From the article:
If I have to fly I bring a book. Screw getting screwed by a Virgin for wi-fi.