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2009: The Year of Inflight Internet

Written by thomas · Filed Under Commercial 

December 10, 2008

thomas

Building on its 2008 successes, Aircell targeting commitments for Gogo Inflight Internet service on 2,000 airplanes in 2009

Aircell evaluating international opportunities and advanced Inflight Entertainment capabilities

ITASCA, Ill., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ — If 2008 was the coming out party for Inflight Internet, 2009 promises to be the year it takes the U.S. by storm. In 2008, airlines began to announce their plans for Inflight Internet service in earnest. American Airlines and Virgin America launched service and Delta Air Lines is expected to launch service before the end of 2008. At the center of this rapidly emerging market is Aircell(R) and its Gogo(R) Inflight Internet service, currently the only comprehensive Inflight Internet service available in the U.S. Already in deployment at American and Virgin America, Aircell is targeting commitments for Gogo to reach 2,000 commercial aircraft by the end of 2009.

“2008 was a year of groundbreaking milestones for Aircell culminating in the successful launches of Gogo Inflight Internet service on American Airlines and Virgin America,” said Jack Blumenstein, President and CEO of Aircell. “2009 promises to be Aircell’s most extraordinary year yet. We are ending 2008 on a high note with the recent launch of Virgin America and upcoming launch of Delta Air Lines and are poised to carry the momentum into the new year and beyond.”

In addition to the airlines that Aircell has launched this year, most major U.S. carriers are in advanced discussions with or are already contractually committed to Aircell. As the company continues to develop its international offering, it is also in talks with numerous international airlines as well. The September 2008 announcement of Air Canada’s intention to launch Gogo service is a taste of things to come as Aircell secures network partners in both Canada and Mexico and continues to evaluate solutions for Gogo Inflight Internet on intercontinental flights.

“Innovative airlines that offer Inflight Internet are already seeing a migration of passengers from those airlines that do not offer this highly valued service,” Mr. Blumenstein continued. “Business travelers and leisure travelers alike are hooked on Gogo. Our strong and growing customer response is demonstrating that $9.95 to $12.95 is a small price to pay for the ability to stay connected and take control over how you spend your time in-flight.”

Gogo Inflight Internet service turns an aircraft into a flying Wi-Fi hotspot, enabling passengers to surf the Web, check email, instant message, access a corporate VPN and more. The service debuted on American Airlines’ entire 767-200 fleet in August and Virgin America in November, and has been generating strong customer interest and usage since.

In 2009, Aircell plans to expand its network and Gogo offering, including adding rich, multimedia applications such as games, television, movies and music. Gogo’s expansion will offer airlines additional ancillary revenue while providing a suite of entertainment options to Gogo users.

“Providing Inflight Internet service on airplanes was only the beginning,” said Tom Weigman, Executive Vice President, Wireless Services, Aircell. “Our Wi-Fi devices have become portals to life, enabling us to work, play and relate wherever and whenever we want. Having opened up the airplane cabin to the Internet, we look forward to dramatically enriching the passenger inflight experience by providing the services and content they desire.”

Some of Aircell's 2008 highlights include:

    -- Completion of Aircell's nationwide network of cell towers
    -- FAA approval to install Aircell equipment on commercial aircraft
    -- Closing final tranche of funding totaling $265 million

— Announcing Delta Air Lines as first major U.S. airline to offer broadband Inflight Internet access on entire domestic mainline fleet

— Launching Gogo, the first and only comprehensive broadband Inflight Internet service in the U.S., on American Airlines

— Announcing Air Canada as Aircell’s first international airline partner

— Launching Gogo on Virgin America and producing the first-ever live, air-to-ground video-stream to YouTube Live

About Aircell

Aircell(R) is the world’s leading provider of airborne communications. As winner of an exclusive FCC frequency license in 2006, Aircell has built a revolutionary mobile broadband network for commercial and business aviation. In 2008, the Aircell Network and its inflight portal, Gogo(R), revolutionized the commercial airline passenger flight experience by delivering a robust Internet experience at 35,000 feet. In addition, the Aircell Network provides airlines with connectivity to operations and a path to enhanced cabin services such as video, audio, television and more. A similar feature set is available to Business aircraft operators. Aircell has facilities in Broomfield, Colorado, and Itasca, Illinois. Aircell’s vision is to give everyone the ability to stay in touch, in flight(R). For more information about Aircell, please visit http://www.aircell.com.

About Gogo

Gogo(R), powered by Aircell, turns a commercial airplane into a Wi-Fi hotspot with true inflight Internet access. Passengers with Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs, can surf the Web, check e-mail, instant message, access a corporate VPN and more. For more information about Gogo, please visit http://www.gogoinflight.com.

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