Surfing the Friendly Skies with Broadband

“Getting away from it all” soon could become more difficult, thanks to an announcement by Alaska Airlines this week to test in-flight broadband service.

Road warriors and vacationers who thought they could “unplug” for a few hours while in flight soon will be able to keep up with emails and surf the Net using their laptops and smart phones (and presumably the iPod Touch), thanks to Wi-Fi enabled hotspots installed throughout the plane.

As reported by AP, Alaska Airlines, the nations ninth-largest carrier, will test the satellite-based in-flight wireless Internet service on one of its jets. The broadband service, from tech firm Row 44 (with help from HughesNet), would work across the carrier’s routes serving Alaska, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico.

Pricing options are still being researched, but could include day passes or even free service for some passengers.

Other airlines are dipping their toes in the virtual water. American Airlines is testing a high-speed air-to-ground Internet service using cell towers instead of satellites.

In 2000, Boeing tested its Connexion broadband service, which folded last year after failing to sign on enough airlines.

Now, momentum is building again, and new technology promises to make surfing the friendly skies with broadband a reality.