Air Canada begins in-flight internet service

The national carrier said it has started trials from Thursday to offer internet service on select flights on its Toronto-Los Angeles and Montreal-Los Angeles routes. With the trial run, Air Canada joins many international airlines which already offer in-flight internet service.

Passengers can access the service on their own laptop for $9.95 per flight or Personal Electronic Device (PED) for $7.95 per flight.

In a statement, the Montreal-based airline said trials will runs till Jan 29 when it will analyze the results and customer feedback before introduction of the service on other routes.

"Air Canada is the first Canadian airline to begin offering customers access to the internet while they are flying,'' Louise McKenven, senior marketing director for the airline, said.

She said, "With this service, our customers will be able to email, work and surf the net while flying, and more fully enjoy what is already a superior travel experience that includes complimentary seatback entertainment and access to standard power outlets.''
The airline needs to obtain regulatory approvals and develop ground infrastructure for the in-flight internet service.

Ron LeMay, president and CEO of Aircell which is the world leader in airborne communication, said, "We are very pleased to launch Gogo (the name of his company's internet service) on Air Canada, the first Canadian airline to offer in-flight internet.

"Air Canada's customers will now feel the freedom of having the world at their fingertips thanks to having full internet access in flight. We look forward to working with Air Canada to deliver that world to them.''

The world's eighth largest airline, Air Canada operates to nearly 80 international destinations.