Healthy single-digit numbers of paying customers?!?

In-flight Wi-Fi is getting more and more attention in the press thanks in no small part to Aircell, which has not only captured the lion's share of the US market but has also become a multi-media marketing machine (note to Aircell competitors - Aircell has set the social media networking bar for in-flight connectivity providers).

Jaunted is running a grand piece about Aircell's latest promo, which entails a 50% discount! Be sure and copy that discount code down!

Now here's an interesting exercise. Take Jaunted's piece about Aircell's promo and add a splash of Joe Sharkey's interview with Row 44 chief John Guidon (yes, it ran less than one week after my parking lot chat for those keeping track of the game) and you've got a very interesting discussion. What discussion is that, RWG?

Well here is Guidon's key quote:

"Right now, as we run these trials we're seeing healthy single-digit numbers of paying customers."

These are early days, of course. And Guidon goes on to say that, as more people acquire Wi-Fi enabled personal devices, the numbers will grow as in-flight broadband becomes "an essential service that customers demand".

I have no doubt that in-flight broadband will become "an essential service that customers demand". But will they pay? That is the question.

Until we get that answer, check out the @GogoInflight customers tweeting away like robins after a rainstorm (plus other interesting stuff).