Joins Delta, Four Others Offering North American Service

United Airlines will begin offering in-flight internet service to customers onboard 13 Boeing 757s on transcontinental routes in the second half of this year, the Chicago-based carrier announced Wednesday.

Aircell's Gogo Inflight Internet service will turn the "premium service" aircraft into flying Wi-Fi hotspots, enabling customers to surf the Web, check e-mail, instant message and access corporate VPNs on their Wi-Fi-enabled devices.

The service will be available to United passengers traveling in all classes of service for a flat fee of $12.95, in line with other airlines charge for the service on flights greater than three hours. American, Delta, Virgin America, and Air Canada also have rolled out the service, most on a trial basis.

"We are investing in products and services that are most important to our customers, and having Wi-Fi access on board is something that they have told us is key to making their flights more productive and enjoyable," said Dennis Cary, senior vice president and chief customer officer -- United Airlines.

"I can't think of a better way for Aircell to usher in 2009 as the year of Inflight Internet than by announcing our partnership with United," said Jack Blumenstein, Aircell president & CEO. "Passengers love Gogo Inflight Internet service and the freedom it gives them to be productive, connected and entertained. Forward-thinking airlines like United are putting the power of Gogo in their passengers' hands and reaping the revenue and customer loyalty benefits that it brings."

United will monitor customer feedback to determine whether to extend Gogo to other mainline flights.

FMI: www.gogoinflight.com, www.united.com