NetJets begins Aircell in-flight WiFi installations, won't stop anytime soon
By Darren Murph 
posted July 29th 2010 8:37PM
posted July 29th 2010 8:37PM
It's one thing to expect in-flight WiFi on a commercial flight serving two or three hundred addicted peons, but how on Earth has it taken until now for NetJets to hop onboard this bandwagon? For those unaware, NetJets hosts the world's largest fractional fleet of business-oriented aircraft, and those that lay claim to portions of its herd are amongst the most wealthy this world has to offer. Currently, the outfit has just over 800 planes, and starting next month over 250 of them (in the midsize and large-cabin categories) will be equipped with Aircell's high speed internet service. In time, NetJets is planning to have "all future fleet aircraft, including light cabin models, delivered from the factory with high speed internet," and we're guessing that the jetsetters who drop the Benjamins to have their own plane are as anxious as ever for the future to be now. After all, who wouldn't want to tweet images of filet mignon from 35,000 feet? NetJets Selects Aircell High Speed Internet Service for World's Largest Fractional Fleet
In Business Aviation's Largest-ever Order for High Speed Connectivity,
Aircell High Speed Internet Coming to More Than 250 Aircraft in the NetJets Fleet
BROOMFIELD, CO – July 29, 2010 – Aircell, the world's leading provider of inflight connectivity, today announced that NetJets Inc, the pioneer and unquestioned market leader in fractional aircraft ownership, will equip more than 250 of its midsize and large-cabin aircraft with Aircell High Speed Internet service. Installations begin this month.
Aircell's program with NetJets represents the largest order for high-speed Internet service in the history of business aviation. Reflecting its continued focus on innovation and continuous improvements in customer service, NetJets plans to have all future fleet aircraft, including light cabin models, delivered from the factory with high speed Internet service. With more than 800 aircraft, NetJets operates the largest private aviation fleet in the world.
David Sokol, NetJets' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "With the Internet at the center of business and personal lives, a full-speed connection has become an expected service for busy people who travel. NetJets owners are some of the most accomplished and productive people in the world and I know they will appreciate the added option to stay connected while onboard their aircraft."
With Aircell High Speed Internet, NetJets owners will be able to access the Internet with any Wi-Fi equipped laptop, notebook computer, or other personal electronic device at speeds that are similar to wireless mobile broadband on the ground. They can send and receive real-time emails with attachments, transfer large files, connect to corporate VPNs, access online publications, listen to the latest podcasts, or even download the perfect music to enjoy at 41,000 feet.
John Wade, Aircell's Executive Vice President and General Manager, said, "We're honored to continue our multi-year relationship with NetJets. Aircell High Speed Internet will dramatically transform the travel experience for NetJets owners. They can be productive enroute and hit the ground running, instead of scrambling to catch up with all the things they missed since takeoff. Nothing increases inflight productivity like a rich Internet experience and no system in aviation is as fast, lightweight and affordable as Aircell High Speed Internet."
About NetJets
NetJets Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the worldwide leader in private aviation and provides the highest safest standards and the largest fleet in private aviation. NetJets fractional aircraft ownership allows individuals and companies to buy a share of a private business jet at a fraction of the cost of whole aircraft ownership, and guarantees availability 365 days a year with just a few hours' notice. NetJets Inc. also offers aircraft management, charter management, and on-demand charter services through its subsidiary, Executive Jet Management. More information on NetJets and Executive Jet Management is available at www.netjets.com.
About Aircell
Aircell is the world's leading provider of airborne communications and a single-source, turnkey provider of equipment, service, and technical support. With a global sales and support presence, its products are offered by virtually every fixed- and rotor-wing airframe manufacturer in business aviation, and are installed aboard the world's four largest fractional ownership fleets. As winner of an exclusive FCC frequency license in 2006, Aircell has built a revolutionary new mobile broadband network for commercial and business aviation. In 2008, the Aircell® Network and its inflight portal, known as Gogo®, revolutionized the commercial airline passenger flight experience by delivering a robust Internet experience at 35,000 feet. 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.
My secretary's assistant will be so happy.
You'd think they would have already had wifi.
@Nn4458
Part of the problem's been that retrofitting existing aircraft is no easy or inexpensive thing. You'd think it would be, but it isn't.
So now that planes are getting wifi, what will be the next big thing?
@gamer24 space shuttles with wifi. dont think they have those yet?
@gamer24
Wifi in space!
@untrueparadox hmm, that would be interesting, but seeing as how we don't really have a space program at this time, nor commercial space flight, it might be a long ways off. Any other ideas, like maybe better food, wider seats, more leg room, etc.?
@gamer24
Well they wouldn't widen the seats, because they couldn't charge heavyset flyers for 2 seats, thus profit loss!
@Firewave
I already have 0g there on Verizon
Rich bastards. I don't even get wifi on my commercial flights.
Just another useless thing the rich get to spend their money on
@Lethallax You know, while people usually think of private airplanes as wasteful stuff used by the rich for leisure that's not usually the case. If you do a lot of business flights that require you to go out to weird places in the middle of nowhere it's exceedingly difficult to get there without making a bazillion transfers on commercial flights. If all you do is fly between New York and San Francisco then of course it's cheaper to take a coach class seat, but if you want to get from Twin Falls, Idaho over to Panama City, Florida it's like a bazillion interconnecting flights. Which means it'll take you like 2 days to get over there assuming you can even find interconnecting flights leaving/arriving on the days you want-some small cities have flights that go there once a week.
For companies it makes a lot of sense since otherwise you're paying people wages to sit around in airports for days, and traveling 22 hours to get somewhere usually means that your employees will look and feel like crap when they show up. And not even much cheaper for some of these flights since they're so rarely flown.
I want wifi everywhere I want it so common I will coin a termfor non wifi spots called "NIFI" yea I know its a plan right?
Well serioisly I think cars need wifi, in car trips with my laptop it would be nice
Awwwww snap
These systems are certainly not "useless".
My boss has one in his plane and it is an incredible business tool for him (he is a CEO) and also very useful for us in the cockpit as we can pull up live radar imagery for weather avoidance.
The system we have cost $140,000 to install, but works very well and provides speeds around 2000 kbps. To him it is worth every penny and then some.
And these jets are vital to running a business more efficiently than without one. The ability to go 6000 miles nonstop in complete comfort with little or no delays or connections means he is rested and ready to get things done when he arrives. Some of the places he goes are not served at all by commercial aviation.
So does that mean I can play my 360 on the plane soon? Rising above the competition never felt so good.
The Aircell team is great, they've got some good competition with SatCom Direct in the market as well.
Props to Aircell on landing a contract with Executive Jet Managment/NetJets :D
Three years reading Engadget and this is the first article about my company.
Fractional ownership?
Pfft.