Dec 06 2007
I wrote it in the sky, soon
After several unsuccessful attempts by airlines to offer internet service via satellites, it appears that 2008 will be the year internet access finally takes off. (pardon the pun). It is hard to believe that just a year ago Boeing scrapped its in-flight Internet service saying there was insufficient demand. It is more likely that there was a demand but the technology was not completey developped meaning quite a bit of outage while logged on. It’s never easy trying to built a system that must operate at 600 mph and up 35,000 feet.
It seems that progress has been made since last year and your internet connection in the sky should be more reliable now. 
Soon after take off you may hear the following announcement “the seat belt sign is off and you may log on now”. Starting next week, Jet Blue will begin offering email and instant messaging service. In the next few months, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Virgin America will be offering a broader choice of internet services. These features will cost around $10 per flight. It is easy to imagine the coming technology in those planes. No need to bring a computer or blackberry onboard. For example the tray in front of you will becomes a laptop computer as you pull it down. No more need for separate screens, you can watch a movie, write an email or just browse the internet.
As always, the human element will decide whether we get to enjoy this new technology. There will be a need to develop some form of netiquette in the sky. No one will want to be stuck next to someone who will talk on his skype device for the whole trip. I wonder if the airlines will try to block some internet sites that have no “redeeming social values. ” If not, how will the airline guard against people accessing those sites especially if there are children nearby? Will passengers try to handle the matter themselves if not satisfied by the way the airline handles the situation? For my next flight, remind me to sit next to a nun who has laryngitis.
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