Atlanta Airport boasts full WiFi coverage

Travelers passing through Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport may soon find that the airport's high-tech infrastructure runs deeper than iPod vending machines. The airport this week rolled out a WiFi network that covers all 5.8 million square feet of its premises, allowing travelers to connect from just about anywhere, including the tarmac (which could mean actually being able to use your laptop while you're stuck in an idling plane). Of course, the service comes with a price: fees will run from roughly $7.95 per day to a monthly rate of $38 for frequent fliers. So far, there's no word on whether travelers using airline clubs will be able to get free access, or if they'll be forced to pay for WiFi, as is happening at Boston's Logan Airport.

[william @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Ft. Lauderdale Int. has full coverage and its free!

[Slash @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I live in Albuquerque, NM and we have FREE wifi in our airport... Granted is not as big, but its not $7.95 a day!

[Mykarol @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

In Florida, most of the airports have this for free...

[matt @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Add to the list of free Airports:
Orlando International (FL,
West Palm Beach (FL),
Pensacola (FL) - Had 3 hour layover between Orlando and Atlanta last week, gotta love frequent flier miles.
North West Arkansa Regional Airport (XNA)

[pdxfan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

PDX has free wi-fi too!

[JinKazama @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Have a two hour layover in Atlanta on Saturday; Got really excited about this until I saw the charges.

I have no problem paying for a service but those who would pay for this are business travelers who already get free access in the frequent flyer lounges...so who exactly are you targeting here? Surely you don't think somebody with a long layover is going to pay 7.95 for a few hours of surfing the net.

[Paulie [eatlga] @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

We (supposedly) have the busiest airport in the country, so there is little need to give stuff away to entice people here. :)

Perhaps some of the money will go toward our ailing sewer system. LOL!!!

[john @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I think that's exactly what they think, Jin. I would pay for it if I had a 3 hour layover and didn't know anyone in town.

[Dave Zatz @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I need free WiFi on the actual planes...!

[Troy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I agree, wifi on Planes is so long overdue! Tampa airport has free wifi everywhere.

[Dave Lord @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Excellent. Except as a poor Brit you cannot sign up for boingo network who manage the service with a uk credit card due to some agreement with BT

[Topmounter @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

$7.95 is nothing compared to staring at fat people waddle around for an hour or two.

[jp123 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Pittsburgh International (PIT) has had it free of charge for years now

[Scott @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

About time!!!!! Even if it's not free I'm glad they finally got it. I just can't believe it took them this long. Other airports (even small ones like Knoxville, TN and Greensboro, NC) have had it for years. (Although not free.) It is nice that some airports (like JetBlue Terminal at JFK and Ft Lauderdale) do have it free, but it's better that Atlanta finally has it now.

[Ryan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

To #6 - Paulie:
Yes, HJAIA is by far the busiest airport in the world, by passenger traffic. Living in Atlanta myself, I've flown in and out several times (including just last night) and I can definitely believe it is the busiest. Click my name to go to a wikipedia article for more info.

I think it is a little ridiculous that they are charging $8 a day for wifi, considering that it is free at other airports. It could be that the sheer size of HJAIA and number of potential users means that it would cost way too much for the airport to allow free wifi access. I guess the only alternative is have them build about 40 coffee shops in the airport.

[jon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

anyone else totally let down with wifi progress in general?

that's nice, you got it in your airport. good first step. now make it free, and extend the service to the planes themselves.

better yet, how about nationwide wifi anywehere for one low monthly price? isn't it time? this whole thing just needs to speed up.

[Razer @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Wifi has been offered for free at Adelaide Airport (Australia) by a local service provider.

http://www.internode.on.net/about/news/20051009-adelaideairport.htm

[Greg @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

In Portland (PDX airport) the WiFi is free, the coverage is great, and I have often sat on the plane waiting to pull away from the gate, VPNed into the office, posting to the blog, etc.

[fred @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

The strategic planners at these '$7.95 Wifi airports', and also the beancounters at'$12.95/day Wifi' high end hotels are all part of a plot by Verizon to sell EVDO.

I travel several days each month and Verizon's $59 per month unlimited access deal is great - and it lowers my blood pressure.

Look at your next hotel bill in any city - usually around an 18% Tax to support stadiums, etc. And then they want $12.95 to access the Internet!!!! And look at your next plane ticket - same thing, not to mention ridiculous landing fees, gate fees, etc that drive airlines away.

At least with Verizon I know my costs, it works everywhere - and I stay calm.

[Pete @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

"Better yet, how about nationwide wifi anywhere for one low monthly price? isn't it time? this whole thing just needs to speed up."

I agree - why has it taken so long to get this far?