American Airlines Debuts Domestic Broadband - Gogo

American Airlines lays claim to offering this country's first domestic broadband, this on coast-to-coast 767s-200s. The system's called Gogo (Web site: www.gogoinflight.com) and Aircell is the company working with the carrier to make the in-flight connectivity happen.

The service offers Internet access in the sky, essentially rendering American's big Boeings airborne Wi-Fi hotspots. When your flight reaches 10,000 feet, just turn on your laptop, smartphone, or PDA. Then, open your browser and you'll be directed to the Gogo portal page. That's where you sign up. The service costs $12.95 on flights more than three hours. That, of course, means transcons. While connectivity is pretty extensive, the deal doesn't allow for cell phone or VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) communication.

American is offering the service on 767 flights from New York Kennedy (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) - as well as down the East Coast on flights from New York to Miami (MIA).

While the airborne Internet initiative just might work, there has been a lot of pushback from others who've floated the idea of airborne cell phone use.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler

What do you think? What would be your reaction to a person in the seat beside you chattering away at 35,000 feet? Let us know in the comment section below this article.