Google Enables Delta to Offer Internet in the Air

Delta Air Lines and Google will offer free in-flight Wi-Fi to customers on Delta flights equipped with Gogo Inflight Internet service between Nov. 20, 2010 and Jan. 2, 2011.

With more than 540 Wi-Fi-enabled aircraft flying more than 2,200 domestic flights each day, Delta expects more than 11 million customers to benefit from this holiday promotion.

With ever-evolving technology, connectivity is going to all extremes. While Internet access is being provided in the air, NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock became the first person to “check in” from space using the mobile social networking application Foursquare. (Read: Social Networking from the Outer Space)

“Our frequent travelers live with us in the air much of the year, and we are always looking for ways to say ‘thank you’ for their business,” said Tim Mapes, Delta’s senior vice president – Marketing.

“Our holiday promotion with Google’s Chrome browser team allows us to offer our customers free Wi-Fi as a small token of appreciation while also making it easier for them to squeeze last-minute shopping into their hectic schedules or connect with family members as they head home for the holidays.”

Also Read:
How Honeywell Plans to Ensure Safer Flying
Verizon to Offer 4G LTE in 38 Metropolitan Areas
Quick Tips for Smart Holiday Travel
Which are the World’s Top 10 Scariest Airports?
Small Businesses Can Fly High with British Airways

Delta began installing Wi-Fi on its domestic fleet in fall 2008 and today the company says that it operates the largest fleet of Wi-Fi enabled aircraft in the world.

Customers using the free Wi-Fi during the holiday season can tag #DeltaWifi on Twitter to show they are tweeting from 30,000+ feet. 

Users can also add the hashtag to their tweets to participate in discussions and follow other users by searching for “#DeltaWifi.”  More information on Delta’s in-flight Wi-Fi services is available at delta.com/wifi.

Customers can find Delta online at delta.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/delta where bookings can be made through a social media ‘Ticket Counter’. 

Advertisements:
Business Proposal
Digital Media Campaigns
Raman Media Network: Connecting Communities

Delta is focused on improving the customer experience, with an investment of more than $2 billion in full-flat beds in BusinessElite on 90 trans-oceanic aircraft, in-seat audio and video on demand throughout Economy Class on international aircraft, and new Delta Sky Clubs in Atlanta, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Philadelphia and Seattle.

Delta made the announcement Monday, Nov. 8.

With the aim to provide more ubiquitous access to the Internet, Google says, for this holiday season, it has teamed up with AirTran, Delta and Virgin America to offer free Gogo Inflight Wi-Fi on every domestic flight from Nov. 20, 2010 through Jan. 2, 2011.

Photo courtesy: Google