'Movie Night' to be Anytime Onboard Alaska Airlines; Internet Access on Flights to and from Alaska Also Improved

Enhancements are part of $100 million project to add cabin comforts and technology access

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Apr 04, 2014, 09:00 ET

SEATTLE, April 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines will offer a new, customizable inflight entertainment option, bringing movies, TV and other content directly to customers' personal electronic devices onboard its flights by the end of the year.

The enhancement is part of a $100 million investment that Alaska Airlines is making to upgrade the cabins of its 737-800, -900 and -900ER aircraft with seats that feature both a personal space-enhancing design and 110-volt and USB power outlets. By this summer, about half of Alaska's fleet will have the new seats and 36 airplanes will be equipped with power outlets. The carrier expects to finish upgrades to its fleet and offer the new inflight entertainment system on flights starting this fall.

The new system, called Gogo Vision, will allow customers to use their own laptop, tablet or smart phone to access more than 100 movies, 50 television shows and unique content, personalizing their onboard entertainment experience on Alaska Airlines. Since the movies are installed on stand-alone servers on each aircraft, broadband access to Gogo's inflight Wi-Fi will not be compromised.

"Offering Gogo Vision across our fleet, along with upgrading most of our Next Generation 737 aircraft with Recaro seats and seat power, will complement our award-winning personal service and make flying even more enjoyable for our customers," said Joe Sprague, vice president of marketing.

Prices for Gogo Vision will range from under $6 for movies and under $3 for television content.

Alaska Airlines also announced this week that Gogo has completed its Canadian air-to-ground Wi-Fi network, allowing uninterrupted inflight Internet coverage for the carrier's numerous routes between the Lower 48 and the state of Alaska. Previously, Gogo Internet was unavailable for select periods when Alaska Airlines' aircraft were flying over Canada.

With Gogo Internet, Alaska Airlines passengers can browse the Web, interact on social media, 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.

Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves nearly 100 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico.. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines