Alaska Airlines launches in-flight Wi-Fi service

Alaska Airlines is offering passengers free wireless Internet through July 31 as the airline launches Wi-Fi service today on six Boeing 737-800s.

Seattle-based Alaska plans to expand Aircell's Gogo Internet service to its entire fleet by the end of this year. The service allows passengers with wireless laptop or mobile devices to browse the Web and send and receive e-mail while in the air.

Gogo will be installed first on the airline's 737-800 and -900s, the majority of its fleet. The remaining 737-400s and -700s will be equipped later this year.

Currently available within the U.S. lower 48 states, the service will be expanded by early 2011 to provide Internet access on flights from key destinations within Alaska.

Through an airline agreement with Visa, passengers can sign up to use the service free by entering the promotional code ALASKAVISA on the login screen. See www.alaskaair.comfor details.

After July 31, cost on flights within the continental United States will be $4.95 per flight for flights up to 1.5 hours; $9.95 for laptops and $7.95 for mobile devices for flights of 1.5-3 hours; and $12.95 for laptops and $7.95 for mobile access for flights longer than three hours.

Carol Pucci: cpucci@seattletimes.com