The World Gets More Connected

In-flight Wi-Fi? Cool idea. Blogging from 30,000 feet would kick ass...

United Airlines plans to announce today that it is the first domestic airline to receive approval from regulators to install wireless Internet networks on its planes.

United passengers will not be able to take advantage of the service just yet. The airline is still at least a year away from having its in-flight Wi-Fi service up and running. When it does, sometime in mid- to late 2006, passengers will be able to check e-mail, send instant messages and surf the Web at 30,000 feet.

Similar services are already available on international flights operated by Lufthansa and Japan Airlines, among other carriers Wi-Fi is also available in terminals across the country. Many airports, like LaGuardia in New York, charge a flat daily rate to use a wireless Internet connection, while JetBlue Airways offers free Wi-Fi at some of its gates.

Instapundit, who pointed me to this story, notes an interesting e-mail that points out how this might have been helpful on 9/11, allowing passengers on the second plane to find out what happened to the first and pull a Flight 93 rebellion. A good point, and one which further levels the playing field.