In-flight WiFi on US airlines - but no VoIP

In-flight WiFi on US airlines – but no VoIP

American Airlines has begun to install in-flight WiFi equipment, and plans to offer WiFi service on cross country flights. Passengers on American aircraft will get full data service, but will not receive cell or VoIP service. If the service proves to be a success, it will be introduced to the rest of the fleet.

The airline has already made it clear that it will block any attempted VoIP traffic, at least in the short-term. Other major US airlines are planning in-flight WiFi, with a similar VoIP blocking policy. Technology from Aircell will be used, which provides an air-to-ground system that uses three lightweight antennas installed on the outside of the aircraft, one GPS antenna mounted on top of the plane and the other two on the bottom.

Wireless access points are distributed throughout the aircraft interior's ceiling. Each American aircraft will be connected to a network of 92 cell towers in the continental US using a 3Mhz signal.The technology that Southwest Airlines is installing allows cell phone calls, but the airline is blocking those as well as VoIP. Both airlines will need certifications from the FAA before launching an actual service.

Virgin America planes will have Wi-Fi access later this year, and JetBlue Airways, Deutsche Lufthansa and Qantas Airways have also announced in-flight Wi-Fi in various forms.