-Low-Cost Leader Teams With Aircell to Transform Cabins Into Wi-Fi
Hotspots With Gogo Inflight Internet-
ORLANDO, Fla., and ITASCA, Ill., May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirTran
Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), announced today
that it will be the first major airline to offer passengers wireless,
broadband Internet access on every flight.
AirTran Airways is partnering with Aircell, the leader in airborne
communications for business and commercial aviation, to offer passengers full
inflight Internet service across its entire fleet of Boeing 737 and 717
aircraft. All 136 AirTran Airways jets will be fully outfitted with Gogo(R)
Inflight Internet service by mid-summer.
"Installing Wi-Fi on every one of our aircraft is another great example of
what sets AirTran Airways apart from our competitors," said Bob Fornaro,
chairman, president and CEO of AirTran Airways. "Giving business and leisure
travelers a consistent, high-quality experience at a low price is a top
priority. We feel that Wi-Fi on every flight gives us a distinct competitive
advantage over other airlines. Our passengers will know with confidence that
no matter which flight they are on, the airplane cabin will be their mobile
office, social network, online mall or whatever they want it to be."
AirTran Airways passengers will have full Internet access including: Web,
e-mail, instant messaging and access to corporate e-mail and network systems
(virtual private networks) -- through their Wi-Fi enabled laptops, smartphones
and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Gogo Inflight Internet will be
available for a small fee based on the length of the flight. "AirTran is known
for catering to the needs of its passengers with style. Both its choice and
rapid deployment of Gogo Inflight Internet service are testaments to AirTran's
long-standing commitment to offer the best inflight experience possible," said
Jack Blumenstein, president and CEO of Aircell. "Now that Gogo is here and
available, passenger demand has taken off, exceeding even our own
expectations. We look forward to enabling AirTran to provide the productivity,
entertainment, information and social connectivity its passengers want."
Installing Wi-Fi on every AirTran aircraft is the latest in a series of
features the Company makes available to all passengers. Other features on
every AirTran fight include: assigned seating, Business Class, XM Satellite
Radio and more than 22 varieties of Coca-Cola products on North America's
newest all-Boeing fleet.
Over the past month, AirTran Airways teased the possibility of Wi-Fi being
added to its list of amenities as part of the Company's everyflight.com
advertising campaign. During the campaign, AirTran received more than 30,000
suggestions from interested consumers.
AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI) and a
Fortune 1000 company, has been ranked the number one low cost carrier in the
Airline Quality Rating study for the past two years. The airline offers
coast-to-coast flights on North America's newest all-Boeing fleet with
Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book
a flight, visit http://www.airtran.com.
Aircell is the world's leading provider of airborne communications. As
winner of an exclusive FCC frequency license in 2006, Aircell has built a
revolutionary mobile broadband network for commercial and business aviation.
In 2008, the Aircell(R) Network and its inflight portal, Gogo(R),
revolutionized the commercial airline passenger flight experience by
delivering a robust Internet experience at 35,000 feet. In addition, the
Aircell Network provides airlines with connectivity to operations and a path
to enhanced cabin services such as video, audio, television and more. A
similar feature set is available to Business aircraft operators. Aircell has
facilities in Broomfield, Colorado, and Itasca, Illinois. Aircell's vision is
to give everyone the ability to stay in touch, in flight(R). For more
information about Aircell, please visit http://www.aircell.com.
Gogo(R), powered by Aircell, turns a commercial airplane into a Wi-Fi
hotspot with true inflight Internet access. Passengers with Wi-Fi enabled
devices, such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs, can surf the Web, check
e-mail, instant message, access a corporate VPN and more. For more information
about Gogo, please visit http://www.gogoinflight.com or follow Gogo on
Twitter: @gogoinflight.
(C) 2009 Aircell LLC. Aircell, Gogo and in touch, in flight are trademarks
of Aircell or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
Media Contacts: AirTran Airways:
Christopher White
Cynthia Tinsley-Douglas
678.254.7442
Aircell:
Brenda Chroniak
781.455.8250
aircell@rfbinder.com
SOURCE AirTran Airways