Free WiFi on Select U.S. Airways Flights

In announcing their roll out of WiFi across their Airbus 321 fleet, U.S. Airways is offering the service free of charge on Airbus 321 aircraft now through June 8th. Simply bring your wireless-ready device (i.e. laptop, i-phone), and connect to to Gogo Internet during your next flight. Click here for more information, and to see routes operating A321 planes.

Southwest Begins Testing Onboard Wi-Fi

Oakland flight to feature the new service
Southwest Airlines says it is going ahead with plans to install internet on its planes. The carrier says up to four aircraft will be configured for wireless internet by March 2009, including one plane already testing the Wi-Fi technology. That plane, according to Today in the Sky, will be operating to and from the Oakland airport on Wednesday, giving passengers an opportunity to try out the service at no cost. According to Southwest, the service is being offered on a trial basis for now, as they have yet to receive final FCC approval.

Virgin America Launches WiFi Later This Month

Virgin America announced the roll out of WiFi on its planes will begin November 22, 2008. The company plans to roll out the service on one plane a week until the entire fleet is connected, sometime during the second quarter of 2009. Passengers with WiFi-enabled devices will enjoy connecting to the Internet, checking email, and sending text messages during future Virgin America flights. The cost for this service is $10 for short-haul flights, $13 for long-distance trips. 

American Airlines Launches In-Flight Wi-Fi Today

For $13 bucks, passengers flying select American Airlines routes, including San Francisco to New York, will now enjoy in-flight Internet access. According to the Baltimore Business Journal, the service, which was launched today, allows customers with Wi-Fi enabled devices to send emails, surf the web or instant message; Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) services are not available.

Video: How in-flight internet works

JetBlue announces trial Wi-Fi on San Francisco Route

The race for Wi-Fi on board a U.S based airline is really heating up. Many airlines have talked about it, some even seriously. But JetBlue plans to test it live on December 11th. On a JFK-San Francisco route, 1 aircraft will be configured with BetaBlue, a wireless system allowing passengers to text and email messages with their own Wi-Fi enabled devices. The service will reportably be free.

This test run is expected to last several months and will not be available on most aircraft during the testing phase.