WiFi in the Sky: Airplanes as hotspots

From the Wall Street Journal, airlines are now gearing up for wifi hotspots on airplane cabins in the next 12 months.

After years of discussion and delay, U.S. airlines will start offering in-flight Internet connections, instant messaging and wireless email within 12 months, turning the cabin into a WiFi “hotspot.” Carriers are expected to start making announcements around the end of the summer, with service beginning early next year.

Like it or not, airborne cellphone chatter still has a flying chance in U.S. airplane cabins, as well, despite a recent indication that the Federal Communications Commission will keep a ban in place.

Now, that’s a happy development despite cellphones still being banned in-flight (who can make calls when you’re 1 kilometer up in the hemisphere?). The wifi is cool though, even if it costs about $10 as pop. Reminds me of my flight to Islamabad, Pakistan last year (will be coming back there this May) where it took me around 15 hours of travel time going thru stop-overs in Bangkok, Thailand and Lahore, Pakistan. It sure would have been really nice to pick up my laptop, surf and blog in-flight.