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United Airlines announces in-flight WiFi plans

The airline joins the growing list of carriers that can get you online during your flight.

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Computing | by Stephen Schenck | Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:55PM | 0 comments

We know just how much it can suck to be stuck someplace where you can't get online. What are you missing? What juicy gossip are you going to be the last to hear? One of the last places where finding an internet connection is still really tricky is on airplanes, but luckily more and more airlines are offering in-flight data solutions, with United being the most recent to join the party.

The United setup is going to use tech from Aircell, the same company that put together the system that Virgin America and others use. It's basically an in-plane WiFi access point connected to a high-powered cell phone under the plane. As you fly over the country, the system keeps connecting to cell towers you're passing over, maintaining your connection.

It looks like you'll be paying about $10 to $13 per flight for the service, which could totally be worth it for long-hauls if it keeps you from going stir crazy. United is going to start offering the connection later this year and, besides Virgin America, Delta and American Airlines already offer it on some flights. We can't wait for more carriers to sign up and see this kind of service really take off - pun intended.

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