Gogo satellite Wi-Fi to be installed on Alaska/Virgin America aircraft

Alaska Airlines has reached an agreement with Gogo to equip its Boeing 737s and Virgin America’s A320 family aircraft with Gogo’s satellite-based 2Ku Wi-Fi service, an upgrade over the air-to-ground Gogo Wi-Fi now offered on Alaska’s flights. Alaska pointed out the 2Ku service provides 20 times more bandwidth than the ATG service and will be available on flights to Hawaii, Mexico and Costa Rica, routes on which the current service is unavailable. “We conducted an extensive review to find a satellite Wi-Fi solution that will allow us to give our guests full coverage across our route map, including in the state of Alaska and on flights to Hawaii,” Alaska CCO Andrew Harrison said. Alaska noted that the 2Ku service will enable passengers to get online before the aircraft reaches an altitude of 10,000 ft. and will provide “internet access from gate-to-gate, with speeds similar to those of wireless carriers on the ground.” Alaska has not yet determined pricing for the new Wi-Fi service, but said passengers “can expect that prices will be lower than they are today for ATG service, with options available such as hourly and daily rates.”<br/>