Alaska Airlines Launches Inflight Wi-Fi Today on Six Aircraft

Airline partners with Visa to offer free Gogo Inflight Internet service through July

News provided by

May 18, 2010, 10:36 ET

SEATTLE, May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alaska Airlines launched Aircell's Gogo® Inflight Internet service today on six Boeing 737-800 aircraft and plans to expand the service to its entire fleet by the end of 2010. The airline is partnering with Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card® to offer passengers Inflight Wi-Fi free of charge on flights through July 31, 2010. Customers can visit alaskaair.com for more information about Alaska's Inflight Wi-Fi.

With Gogo, Alaska Airlines passengers with wireless devices will be able to browse the Web; access online music, games, podcasts and webcasts; send and receive e-mail; and connect to virtual private networks while flying. The easy-to-use service will provide passengers with full Internet access on any Wi-Fi-equipped laptop or personal electronic device at speeds similar to wireless mobile broadband services on the ground.

"Through July 31, our customers traveling on Wi-Fi-equipped planes will be able to try out the new Gogo service at no cost, courtesy of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card," said Joe Sprague, Alaska's vice president of marketing.

By the end of summer, Gogo will be installed on the airline's fleet of 737-800s and -900s, which represents the majority of Alaska's fleet. The remaining 737-400s and -700s will be equipped with the service later in the year. A detailed coverage map of the Gogo service is available for download from the Alaska Airlines Newsroom "Image Gallery" at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

Aircraft equipped with inflight Wi-Fi will have a Wi-Fi symbol located outside the aircraft's boarding door and information about the service located in seatback pockets. Gogo will be available above 10,000 feet, following an announcement approving the use of portable electronic devices.

Customers can use inflight Wi-Fi free of charge through July 31 by entering the promotional code ALASKAVISA on the login screen. After July 31, the Gogo service, currently available in the U.S. lower 48 states, will be offered to customers at a cost of $4.95 per flight and up, based on length of flight and device used.

To ensure the service is available to the airline's namesake state, Aircell will expand its network by early 2011 to provide Gogo Inflight Internet service on flights to, from and between key destinations in the state of Alaska.

Note to news media: Broadcast quality B-roll is available for download at http://bit.ly/dvPndg.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together serve more than 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines