Alaska Airlines Now Offering Inflight Wi-Fi on More Than Half Its Aircraft

Airline, Visa partner to offer Gogo(R) Inflight Internet service free through July 31

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Jul 09, 2010, 08:00 ET

SEATTLE, July 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alaska Airlines is now offering Aircell's Gogo® Inflight Internet service on more than half its aircraft, including all 55 of its Boeing 737-800s and 10 of its 737-900s. The service will be available on the airline's remaining two 737-900s by the end of July. These aircraft fly throughout Alaska's network, including all transcontinental routes.

"Our installations are on schedule and every week more customers are having the opportunity to sample our new Gogo service at no cost, thanks to the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card," said Joe Sprague, Alaska's vice president of marketing.

The airline is partnering with the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card to offer passengers Inflight Wi-Fi free of charge on flights through July 31, 2010. 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.

With Gogo, Alaska Airlines passengers with wireless devices can 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 provides 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. Customers can visit alaskaair.com/wifi for more information about Alaska's Inflight Wi-Fi.

The airline's remaining 737-400s and 737-700s will be equipped with the Gogo service by the end of 2010.

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 key routes to, from and within the state of Alaska. A detailed coverage map is available for download from Alaska Airlines' image gallery at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

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

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. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008, 2009 and 2010 North America Airline Satisfaction Studies(SM). For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines