Aircraft

Air Canada intends to become the first Canadian airline to offer in-flight connectivity after inking a deal with Aircell that envisions fleet-wide installations of the Colorado-based firm's broadband system.

By spring 2009 the Star Alliance member will begin offering Aircell's Gogo service aboard Airbus A319 aircraft on select transborder flights to the US west coast.

The service will be accessible to customers with a standard, Wi-Fi equipped laptop or personal electronic device (PED).

Gogo is supported by Aircell's existing air-to-ground network and only available in the USA. However, Aircell is working on licensing and rollout of a Canadian air-to-ground network, which will make Gogo available in Canada and facilitate Air Canada's future fleet-wide deployment.

"In cooperation with Aircell, and pending Canadian regulatory approvals, we plan to eventually offer Internet access system-wide so customers can email, work and surf the net while flying, and more fully enjoy what is already a superior travel experience," said Air Canada VP, marketing Charles McKee in a statement released today at the World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA) conference and exhibition in Long Beach, California.

Air Canada joins a growing list of Aircell customers that includes American Airlines, Delta Air Lines (and Northwest Airlines if and when the merger goes through) as well as Virgin America.