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United Airlines adding Wi-Fi to regional jets [Chicago Tribune](Chicago Tribune (IL) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 15--United Airlines said Wednesday it will add Wi-Fi Internet access and personal-device entertainment to more than 200 of its larger United Express regional jets by next summer, allowing passengers to stream video to their own computers, tablets and smartphones. United Airlines said Wednesday that it will add Wi-Fi Internet access and personal device entertainment to more than 200 of its larger United Express regional jets by next summer, allowing passengers to stream video to their own computers, tablets and smartphones. The first Internet-enabled regional planes, many of which ferry passengers to and from United hubs, are expected to be equipped later this year with an air-to-ground Wi-Fi system by Gogo, of Itasca. United mostly uses satellite-based Wi-Fi on its larger mainline aircraft. Chicago-based United, which was slow among major airlines to add Wi-Fi and had none on its regional jets, has generally been adding the ability to stream content to personal devices rather than investing in content for overhead or seatback video screens. It previously said it would offer personal device entertainment on more than 200 larger mainline aircraft by the end of 2014. "These new elements will enhance the entire in-flight experience for our customers," said Jeff Foland, United's executive vice president of marketing, technology and strategy. United will install Gogo's ATG-4 Wi-Fi product, a second-generation air-to-ground Wi-Fi system, on Bombardier CRJ700 and Embraer E-170 and E-175 aircraft. The planes will be the first regional jets in the U.S. to be outfitted with Gogo's new-generation service, which more than triples the peak speeds to an aircraft compared with its original service launched in 2008, Gogo said. Early next year, United plans to add personal device entertainment to those aircraft, enabling customers to select from a range of movies and television shows to stream to their laptops and their Apple iOS and Android devices using United's mobile app. There are typically hundreds of television shows and movies "from most major Hollywood studios" available through the Gogo Vision service, a spokesman said. Pricing for Wi-Fi access has not been announced, but streaming video entertainment will be free, a United spokeswoman said. United recently has been investing in its regional United Express service, which is operated by other carriers. For example, it announced that it would add a fleet of 120 new E-175 regional jets. Next year, United plans to begin a trial of Gogo's 2Ku satellite-based Wi-Fi on five of its aircraft that operate "premium service" flights between JFK airport in New York and Los Angeles and San Francisco. Those aircraft currently use Gogo's ground-based ATG-4 product. [email protected] ___ (c)2014 the Chicago Tribune Visit the Chicago Tribune at www.chicagotribune.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |