Gogo gallops on with Delta launch

Delta Airlines has launched Aircell Gogo air-to-ground broadband service on six aircraft. The carrier is the third US airline to introduce Gogo, following American Airlines, which is running a 15-aircraft trial, and Virgin America, planning a complete fleet fit. Air Canada has contracted for a domestic fleet fit.

Delta is now offering the service on five MD-88s flying the Delta Shuttle routes between New York LaGuardia and Boston Logan and Washington Reagan, plus one Boeing 757 flying throughout airline’s domestic system. Delta plans to have a total of ten aircraft equipped by the end of the month and ultimately to introduce Gogo on its domestic fleet of MD-88s and MD-90s and Boeing 737s, 757s and 767-300s – a total of more than 330 aircraft - during the second half of next year.

To get the promotional ball rolling the service is being offered free of charge on the MD-88s up to the end of the month. Thereafter the standard Aircell tariff of $9.95 for flights up to three hours and $12.95 beyond that will be applied.

“Inflight Internet access has been one of the services most often requested by our customers,” says Tim Mapes, Delta senior VP for marketing. “Next year, when Gogo is available on our entire domestic mainline fleet, our customers will have access to the most extensive WiFi network in the sky.”

Travellers boarding Delta MD-88 flights should look out for the “WiFi hotspot” decal applied next to the entrance door of each of the equipped aircraft. An instructional card in each seatback will explain how to sign up for the service. Gogo representatives and Delta employees will be on hand at all three Delta Shuttle-served airports throughout the promotional period to provide help and information. 

In a reflection of its recent acquisition of Northwest Airlines, Delta plans to launch the Gogo certification process for the latter’s mainline domestic fleet early next year and to start installations within 12 months.