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The economics of in-flight Wi-Fi

fortune.com

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Re: The economics of in-flight Wi-Fi

#81

Post by r00fus »

reagency wrote: post #77
delecti wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honestly, I prefer that anyway. I've got no shortage of devices with plenty of my own media, and now I don't have to be stuck 12" from a screen I can't reliably turn off, that will be shining advertisements and redundant safety lessons in my face when I'm trying to sleep.

Yeah the screens suck, but BYOD with no in-Seat USB charger sucks.

Just buy a 10-20Ah portable battery and you're set for mobile devices. I can weather a 10-12h flight with one of those and my iPad/iPhone. If you have a recent laptop, you should be able to weather 5-8hr for work; I seriously doubt you could get better on even an international flight.

Re: The economics of in-flight Wi-Fi

#82

Post by rahimnathwani »

nly wrote: post #26
aurelianito wrote: post #10

The economics of airplane wifi remind me of the economics of the hotels wifi. Go to a 5-star hotel and you will pay 15 extra dollars for the priviledge of having a lousy internet access. Go to a small hostel and you will get good internet access for free.

Marriott are throwing in wifi these days, but you have to pay for premium access if you want to stream some Netflix

Marriott owns ~20 different hotel brands. Some of those brands (e.g. Courtyard) offer free wi-fi, but others do not.

http://www.marriott.com/marriott/free_wifi.mi

Re: The economics of in-flight Wi-Fi

#83

Post by icebraining »

jrockway wrote: post #57
nwhybrid wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The TSA would have a field day with all your cavities if you try to even so much as bring more than an ounce over three through airport security. Good old USA!

You bring an empty water bottle and fill it up at the airport. I've never seen an airport that charges for tap water.

Yeah, either fill it up or buy in the shops after security, which (in my experience) is still cheaper than in the plane.

Re: The economics of in-flight Wi-Fi

#84

Post by toomuchtodo »

manacit wrote: post #74
toomuchtodo wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Works for personal platinum Amex as well. Between my $200 in airline credit yearly, comp' Boingo/Gogo wifi, airport lounged, etc, its worth the $450/year annual fee.

Do you have a source regarding Gogo wifi w/ a personal Amex Platinum? I'm fairly certain that only exist on Biz Plat, unlike Boingo.

Looks like you're right and I was mistaken. Boingo access only for personal platinum Amex, Gogo AND Boingo for the business platinum Amex.

Re: The economics of in-flight Wi-Fi

#85

Post by brk »

colinbartlett wrote: post #55
tehwebguy wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Also, if you have an AMEX Platinum you get 10 GoGo passes (per year, I think)

That's only the corporate card, not the consumer one.

You can get the Amex small business platinum card (I have one) without having to show any actual business registration proof. It's $400/year, but you get the 10 GoGo passes, free Boingo, $200 credit in various airlines fees (excess baggage fees, etc.).

You also get access to Delta lounges (when flying Delta) and Amex Centurion and Air clubs at airports that have them.

If you travel regularly it's worth it.

Re: The economics of in-flight Wi-Fi

#86

Post by mooreds »

It seems claer that the main customers are businesses (or employees). Even if I am footing the bill myself because I am a contractor, rather than expensing it, it still makes economic sense. By having Internet on the plane and working, I am making productive use of dead time. And exchanging even $40 when I can bill 3x that or more is a no brainer.

Don't get me started on the benefits of the internet on flights when travelling with kids.

Re: The economics of in-flight Wi-Fi

#87

Post by frozenport »

tw04 wrote: post #33
reagency wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You'll pay extra for Jet Blue, to avoid paying $10 for WiFi??

The $10 for wifi nets you something akin to 28.8K modem speeds. So yes, I'd gladly pay more for a ticket that provided something approaching usable speeds. When google.com takes 45 seconds to load, the connection is basically useless.

Its worse! The high latency makes it hard to use ssh.

Re: The economics of in-flight Wi-Fi

#88

Post by joezydeco »

peter303 wrote: post #50
joezydeco wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Now it's touch screen "entertainment in-flight systems"... Enjoy that while it lasts. United is moving to a BYOD system where you use your own phone or tablet to watch in-flight entertainment. The new cabins have removed all screens and armrest audio systems (oh yeah, and headphones too) http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/ente...

In seat electronics adds a couple pounds and inch or two of seat width. Either saves the airlines a lot.

This is the new IFE box on the Boeing 737-800. It's massive.

http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/BN-HO911_0325mi_M_...

Re: The economics of in-flight Wi-Fi

#89

Post by delecti »

r00fus wrote: post #81
reagency wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah the screens suck, but BYOD with no in-Seat USB charger sucks.

Just buy a 10-20Ah portable battery and you're set for mobile devices. I can weather a 10-12h flight with one of those and my iPad/iPhone. If you have a recent laptop, you should be able to weather 5-8hr for work; I seriously doubt you could get better on even an international flight.

Extra bonus is having the battery available the rest of the time. My phone's battery life isn't quite what I'd desire, so I just keep a spare ~10Ah battery in my purse. It gets used maybe once a week at most, but it's worth it for those occasions.

Re: The economics of in-flight Wi-Fi

#90

Post by mcescalante »

tw04 wrote: post #33
reagency wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You'll pay extra for Jet Blue, to avoid paying $10 for WiFi??

The $10 for wifi nets you something akin to 28.8K modem speeds. So yes, I'd gladly pay more for a ticket that provided something approaching usable speeds. When google.com takes 45 seconds to load, the connection is basically useless.

Yes. this. I also have no interest in supporting the business if their principals are as described in this article - basically saying "whatever, we know we can still make money, let's charge as much as we can." Plus, like I said in my original comment, JetBlue seriously lets you snack for free waay better than any other airline I've flown (all major ones).
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