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American Airlines just got its first plane with international Internet access on Tuesday night, a new Boeing 777-300ER that it expects to begin hauling passengers by the end of next month. The service will become more widely available as the company gets new planes or overhauls some of its older 777s. A spokeswoman declined to offer details about how fast it will add international Wi-Fi. Southwest Airlines Co. expects to have satellite-based Wi-Fi on about three-quarters of its fleet by the end of January, spokeswoman Katie McDonald said. AN EXCEPTION After a nine-month test, Australian airline Qantas dropped the service after just 5 percent of passengers paid for it. Cost was likely one factor
-- prices ranged from $13.60 to $42 U.S. dollars. And Qantas noted the flights from Australia to London and Los Angeles were overnight, when many passengers preferred to sleep. PROFITABLE? In-flight Internet has overcome early doubts about whether passengers would pay enough for it to justify the cost. The gear that provides a wireless signal on the plane costs money and adds weight, which adds to the fuel bill on each flight. The U.S. airlines clearly see it as a money-maker now, though. Even some of their youngest passengers are carrying Internet-enabled devices such as smartphones and hand-held games, making them potential Wi-Fi customers. Smisek, the United CEO, said on a conference call in October that his airline will own the on-board equipment, allowing it to set pricing and steer passengers toward websites and its own streaming video. Airborne Wi-Fi lets United "establish a wide array of commercial agreements," he said, boosting its value for the airline.
[Associated
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