Buzz
Maintaining an internet connection on an airplane traveling at high speeds is a complex technical challenge, as it must account for constant changes in position, velocity, and direction. ICHIRO/Getty ImagesMain Highlights
- Numerous aircraft now feature WiFi and live TV options.
- Travelers can browse the web and enjoy streaming entertainment while in the air.
- These features significantly improve the overall flight experience for passengers.
Not too long ago, air travelers had limited entertainment options, such as watching movies on shared cabin screens, reading books, or simply looking out at the clouds. Internet browsing or TV streaming was impossible because, after all, they were aboard an airplane.
However, this began to shift in the late 2000s when leading airlines introduced wireless internet on flights. As highlighted in this 2010 CBS News story, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) facilitated this by auctioning off frequency spectrum blocks previously used for costly and unpopular seatback analog phone services.
This development enabled the use of ground-based cellular towers to provide internet access to passengers. Antenna fins on the plane detect the network and facilitate signal transmission. According to an e-book on in-flight connectivity by GoGo Business Aviation, maintaining a stable internet connection on a fast-moving airplane is a complex technical challenge due to constant changes in orientation, speed, and direction.
Apart from air-to-ground (ATG) systems, airplanes can also connect to the internet via satellites. Satellite connections also allow airlines to offer live TV programs. JetBlue pioneered this by using satellite technology to deliver up to 24 TV channels to passengers as early as 2000, as mentioned in this press release.
In September, American Airlines revealed plans to offer free live TV and high-speed internet on many of its flights, featuring 12 channels, including major networks like CNN, TNT, and the Disney Channel, accessible on passengers' devices. SFGate.com provides a detailed overview of various airlines' in-flight TV offerings.
To cut costs and streamline seating to accommodate more passengers, numerous airlines are removing built-in seatback entertainment screens, as reported by The New York Times last year. The assumption is that travelers will increasingly rely on their own WiFi-enabled devices to stream video content.
