AirCell Inc. has added its first major airline outside of the United States in its quest to outfit as many aircraft with its mobile broadband service that provides Internet access to travelers.
AirCell announced an agreement with Air Canada, which will roll out AirCell’s Gogo system on select flights. The technology will be installed on A319 aircraft that fly to U.S. destinations. The airline expects to offer the service to travelers by next spring. Air Canada will be able to use AirCell’s existing network in the United States. Gogo works through an antenna system installed on aircraft and ground towers.
“Adding Air Canada as AirCell’s newest airline partner and first international customer will mark yet another milestone for our company,” Jack Blumenstein, AirCell president and CEO, said in a news release. “As we continue to grow our U.S. network and explore our international expansion plans, Air Canada will have the distinction of being the first.”
The two companies are hopeful Gogo will eventually be offered on every flight from Air Canada hub cities to every market the airline serves in the U.S. AirCell also plans to expand its network into Canada for domestic flights.
“Air Canada prides itself on connecting Canada and the world and an important element of staying connected today is having use of the Internet,” Charles McKee, Air Canada VP of marketing, said in a news release. “That is why Air Canada is taking a major step forward to becoming the first Canadian airline to provide its customers in-flight, online access through Gogo.”
Last month, American Airlines became the first U.S. airline to offer Internet services to its travelers by teaming up with AirCell. Internet services are available on transcontinental flights between New York and California and New York and Florida.
AirCell also has agreements in place with Delta Airlines and Virgin America. AirCell would also serve Northwest Airlines if the merger is completed with Delta.
AirCell and the airlines are operating under joint revenue agreements. Cost for Internet service is $13 for a flight longer than 3 hours and $10 for shorter flights.
