Alaska Airlines Expands Inflight Wi-Fi Service

Alaska Airlines announced today that Gogo® Inflight Internet service is now available on flights from Southeast Alaska north to Anchorage and Fairbanks, expanding its inflight Wi-Fi service nearly statewide.

“We’re pleased to be able to offer inflight Wi-Fi service to our customers flying from Southeast Alaska to Anchorage and Fairbanks,” said Joe Sprague, the airline’s vice president of marketing. “For our business travelers, especially, the ability to access e-mail and the Internet is a great benefit.”

Customers traveling on Wi-Fi-equipped planes are currently able to use Gogo at no cost, courtesy of American Honda Motor Co. After Dec. 9, Gogo will be offered to customers at an introductory cost of $4.95 per flight to, from and within the state of Alaska. Within the Lower 48 United States, Gogo will be available for $4.95 and up, based on length of flight and device used. Gogo also offers 24-hour inflight Wi-Fi passes and monthly subscriptions.

Using Gogo, Alaska Airlines passengers with Wi-Fi-enabled devices can browse the Web; access online music, games, podcasts and webcasts; send and receive e-mail; and connect to virtual private networks while flying. The easy-to-use service provides passengers with full Internet access on any Wi-Fi-equipped laptop or personal electronic device at speeds similar to wireless mobile broadband services on the ground. Customers can visit www.alaskaair.com/wifi for more information about Alaska Airlines’ inflight Wi-Fi.

Since May, Alaska Airlines has outfitted more than 70 percent of its Boeing 737 aircraft with the Gogo service and expects to complete fleet-wide installation in early 2011. Aircraft equipped with inflight Internet service have a Wi-Fi symbol located outside the aircraft’s boarding door and information in seatback pockets. Gogo is available above 10,000 feet, following an announcement approving the use of portable electronic devices.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together serve more than 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico.