AS should do this as well...get some of their MVPG's together for a flight and broadcast live! Great customer loyalty event. I'd sign up!
Eastbay1K
Nov 19, 08, 7:18 pm
I'm sure many on the KTN/ANC or FAI/SEA routes will flee to VX.
United757
Nov 19, 08, 8:13 pm
I'm sure many on the KTN/ANC or FAI/SEA routes will flee to VX.
Definitely ;)
ANC
Nov 19, 08, 10:27 pm
I'm sure many on the KTN/ANC or FAI/SEA routes will flee to VX.
FAI/BRW :D
jackal
Nov 20, 08, 1:59 am
I'm sure many on the KTN/ANC or FAI/SEA routes will flee to VX.
The question is: Would we if we could? :D
I, personally, won't answer that, for fear of jeopardizing friendships... ;)
beckoa
Nov 20, 08, 2:11 am
Despite being a member of the market VX targets (liking technology and all things shiny) I probably would not try them out if I was in my right mind... I've avoided WN... and benefited from West Most more then once so I could have tried VX if I wanted... I enjoy my upgrades and miles...
This is all besides the point VX is 1448 miles away from my home airport anyway!
As far as Wifi goes... if VX is offering it and AS isn't... :td: I understand its two different technologies, but the sooner the better...
I saw a/c 623 (the WiFi aircraft with the obvious hump) parked at the gate at LAX this morning, although it was not assigned to my flight. IIRC, it was headed to SEA as flt 453
maokh
Nov 20, 08, 3:07 pm
I think its complete irrelevant if AS takes 6 months or a year to launch WiFi service. Its not like the service offering is going to be obsolete on November 30th or anything.
From a business standpoint, its probably better just to let VX burn a bunch of cash advertising the world the possibility of WiFi service on aircraft.
Its amazing how far a few hundred dollars in parts (well a multiple perhaps since its air certified) and some dinky mood lighting can take you.
beckoa
Nov 21, 08, 1:43 am
yeehaw... months away from a booked AS flight... but excited nonetheless :D
Great to see AS fulfill their commitment to wifi (well, start :P) even if its a few months late...
grahampros
Nov 21, 08, 1:56 am
It's marketing hype.
I can tell you as someone freqently on the AA transcons, it's have not been that successful. I personally love it myself, but 3 months in, they are now offering a 25% discount promotions to attract users.
This was not happening until very recently, so this is a red flag it's not going so well. I hope GoGo succeeds, but it's not looking great so far.
beckoa
Nov 21, 08, 2:09 am
It's marketing hype.
I can tell you as someone freqently on the AA transcons, it's have not been that successful. I personally love it myself, but 3 months in, they are now offering a 25% discount promotions to attract users.
This was not happening until very recently, so this is a red flag it's not going so well. I hope GoGo succeeds, but it's not looking great so far.
IIRC... gogo was more limited in its overall bandwidth, but definitely in the routing... bouncing off cell towers compared to a stationary or several satellites is like G2 to G3 (If I got this right)... AS has that much more potential to make people happy, like Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, etc!
Its not just hype, its like adding BoB food... (at least for geeks and those tied to FT)
jackal
Nov 21, 08, 4:21 am
IIRC... gogo was more limited in its overall bandwidth, but definitely in the routing... bouncing off cell towers compared to a stationary or several satellites is like G2 to G3 (If I got this right)... AS has that much more potential to make people happy, like Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, etc!
Its not just hype, its like adding BoB food... (at least for geeks and those tied to FT)
I thought the AS system was going to be ground-based, as well. Satellite systems are typically the ones more expensive to operate (due to the cost of flying the bird) and more limited in bandwidth (and with higher latency, too), no?
I always thought the price point was too high--it was enough to give me second thoughts, and I'm about the most addicted-to-teh-Intarweb I know (maybe the quoted person above excepted ;)).
Originally, I thought that business travelers would make up the difference, but perhaps companies are tightening their belts and not allowing these people to expense it (which only makes some sense, given that it's otherwise wasted time).
I think ~$15 for 24 hours of access is about my limit. Any more than that, or that amount for just a couple of hours on a flight, and I'll favor a book or a DVD over my addiction to FT and Wikipedia...
eponymous_coward
Nov 21, 08, 4:33 am
Its amazing how far a few hundred dollars in parts (well a multiple perhaps since its air certified) and some dinky mood lighting can take you.
... and planes that look like planes in 2008 should (instead of planes from 1985), and in-flight entertainment for every seat, and in-flight power, and nice Recaro seats in coach that are wider AND have better pitch than 737 seats, and really nice first class, and...
Don't get me wrong- VX isn't going to KTN anytime soon (or anytime far, really, that's not how SRB and the VX management are going to run this, ever), but it ain't just mood lighting or WiFi that makes the planes desirable- and there's a reason Alaska responded to VX showing up in SEA with something more than a yawn.
beckoa
Nov 21, 08, 4:41 am
I thought the AS system was going to be ground-based, as well. Satellite systems are typically the ones more expensive to operate (due to the cost of flying the bird) and more limited in bandwidth (and with higher latency, too), no?
I always thought the price point was too high--it was enough to give me second thoughts, and I'm about the most addicted-to-teh-Intarweb I know (maybe the quoted person above excepted ;)).
Originally, I thought that business travelers would make up the difference, but perhaps companies are tightening their belts and not allowing these people to expense it (which only makes some sense, given that it's otherwise wasted time).
I think ~$15 for 24 hours of access is about my limit. Any more than that, or that amount for just a couple of hours on a flight, and I'll favor a book or a DVD over my addiction to FT and Wikipedia...
wow... someone was out of the country too long :eek:
AS was always going to go with Row 44 as its internet provider- this uses the same satellites as Huesnet... a satellite provider for rural areas. As far as bandwith goes... I think its around 35mbs... spread on a plane... latency yes (so games might be an issue) but streaming youtube or utilizing flyertalk or surfing alaskaair.com (which this could be free...ie more revenue when purchasing a flight while flying)
As long as its free for MVPG pax and free in F when upgraded I'll be happy :D
eponymous_coward
Nov 21, 08, 11:33 am
As long as its free for MVPG pax and free in F when upgraded I'll be happy
Then I'm guessing you'll be unhappy. I suspect everyone gets to pay for this.
SEAFFLYER
Nov 21, 08, 3:01 pm
I thought the AS system was going to be ground-based, as well. Satellite systems are typically the ones more expensive to operate (due to the cost of flying the bird) and more limited in bandwidth (and with higher latency, too), no?
"In contrast to other providers that use ground-based antennas to link the aircraft to their networks, Row 44 leases capacity from the existing HughesNet satellite Internet access system enabling them to provide worldwide services even over water."
alphaeagle
Nov 21, 08, 3:33 pm
I thought this was mentioned, but I can't find it. Is this going to be installed on the combi aircraft? And will it actually work in Alaska? I'm not sure what kind of satellites are used, but for example, XM radio isn't available in Anchorage.
celtics2004
Nov 21, 08, 4:03 pm
I thought this was mentioned, but I can't find it. Is this going to be installed on the combi aircraft? And will it actually work in Alaska? I'm not sure what kind of satellites are used, but for example, XM radio isn't available in Anchorage.
The service will be available in Alaska, but last I heard will not be installed on the combi aircraft due to equipment installation problems. The forward cargo deck impedes installation requirements as far as the equipment and wiring go.