Surfing the friendly skies

Surfing the Internet has now hit a new high - about 500 miles high to be exact. Last Wednesday an American Airlines 767-200 was equipped with free broadband Internet access for two flights going between New York and Los Angeles. This test flight is the start of what should be a trend for airlines, offering free broadband Internet access on flights - I just wonder how much that will add to the other charges being snuck in on the cost of tickets.

So far Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Jet Blue, Southwest Airlines and Virgin Airlines are all planning to get their flights Internet ready by the end of this year. American Airlines is the only one that has actually announced a pricing plan so far. When service is available it will run passengers $12.95 for flights lasting three or more hours, $9.95 on flights that are less than three hours long.

American's Internet access will be restricted to the contiguous United States, but it looks like other airlines, such as Southwest Airlines, might be looking more for Internet possibilities that could make surfing the world wide web an option for world travelers as well.