Google puts free Wi-Fi on Virgin, AirTran and Delta flights

8 Nov 2010

Google’s Chrome team has outfitted three major US airlines – AirTran, Delta and Virgin America – with free Wi-Fi, resulting in free internet access for 15 million passengers flying in 700 planes over the Christmas holiday season.

Passengers flying on AirTran, Delta or Virgin America between 20 November 2010 and 2 January 2011 will have free Wi-Fi on any of their domestic flights to check email, watch videos and surf the web from 30,000 feet above the ground.

“We are constantly working to help provide a better web experience to users around the world,” said Sundar Pichai, vice-president of Product Management at Google.

“Whether it be building a better browser with Chrome or bringing free Wi-Fi to air travellers this holiday season, we are constantly innovating to ensure users’ access to the web is fast, simple and seamless.”

This season marks the second straight year that Google has provided free Wi-Fi to travellers over the holiday season.

Last year, Google worked with Virgin America, as well as more than 50 airports, to provide free internet access both on the ground and in the air.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com