***NEWS RELEASE*** Delta to Become Only Major U.S. Airline to Offer
Broadband Wi-Fi Access on Entire Domestic Mainline Fleet Aircell's
Gogo™ inflight Internet service to be available in first and economy
classes on more than 330 Delta aircraft in 2009, the most expansive
inflight broadband offering of any U.S. air carrier
ATLANTA, Aug. 5, 2008 - Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) customers
traveling throughout the continental United States will soon be
offered the added convenience of broadband Wi-Fi access onboard the
airline's domestic fleet of more than 330 mainline aircraft.
Delta is joining with Aircell®, a 17-year leader in airborne
communications for business and commercial aviation, to install the
company's Mobile Broadband Network on the carrier's domestic fleet.
The system, Gogo, will enable Delta customers traveling with Wi-Fi
enabled devices, such as laptops, iPhones and PDAs, to access the
Internet, corporate VPNs, corporate and personal e-mail accounts, as
well as SMS texting and instant messaging services. Gogo will be
available to customers for a flat fee of $9.95 on flights of three
hours or less, and $12.95 on flights of more than three hours.
"Delta remains committed to providing a travel experience that
maximizes the time our customers spend with us onboard by offering
them even more productivity options," said Richard Anderson, Delta's
chief executive officer. "Our customers asked for in-flight
connectivity, and we're responding by rolling out the most extensive
Wi-Fi network in the sky. Beginning this fall, our passengers will
have the ability to stay connected when they travel with us throughout
the continental U.S."
Gogo will be offered initially on Delta's fleet of 133 MD88/90
aircraft and will rapidly expand to the remaining domestic fleet of
more than 200 Boeing 737, 757 and 767-300 aircraft throughout the
first half of 2009. The airline expects to have more than 330 aircraft
complete by summer 2009. The full fleet agreement between Aircell and
Delta will provide a consistent, convenient experience for customers
traveling on the airline who wish to use the Gogo Internet service.
"The advent of Air-To-Ground (ATG) technology has made broadband
connectivity in the cabin economically viable for the first time for
commercial airlines," said Jack Blumenstein, President and CEO,
Aircell. "The game has changed and Delta will be among the first to
provide an enhanced customer experience with broadband Wi-Fi access on
more than 1,000 daily flights within the U.S."
In addition to being the most cost-effective in-flight broadband
technology available, the Aircell system is extremely light, requires
minimal space on the aircraft and is installed overnight, making it a
sound investment in a competitive, high fuel-price environment.
Aircell LLC 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, known as Gogo™, will revolutionize the commercial
airline passenger flight experience, 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™.
For more information about Aircell, please visit
www.aircell.com.
Gogo™, 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, iPhones, and PDAs, can surf the Web,
check any e-mail, Instant Message, access their corporate VPN and
more. Plus, Gogo includes free access to valuable online content from
The Wall Street Journal® and Frommer's®. For more information about
Gogo, please visit
www.gogoinflight.com.
Delta Air Lines operates service to more worldwide destinations than
any airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 312
destinations in 61 countries. Delta has added more international
capacity than any major U.S. airline during the last two years and is
the leader across the Atlantic with flights to 44 trans-Atlantic
markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers 393 weekly
flights to 47 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow
customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 16,000 flights
offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of
SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with
extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Including its
SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 500
worldwide destinations in 105 countries. Customers can check in for
flights, print boarding passes, check bags and flight status at
delta.com.