You are here
Home
Frequently asked questions
Wi-Fi with US
Wi-Fi with US
Frequently Asked Questions
What will US Airways offer with the Gogo Inflight Internet Wi-Fi system?
Will Gogo Inflight Internet be available to everyone on the aircraft? How much will it cost?
How many passengers will be able to access the Gogo service at one time?
What devices will the Gogo Inflight Internet service work with?
Are power ports readily available on US Airways aircraft?
Can passengers sign up for the service in advance of their flights?
How easy is it to sign on to Gogo?
What forms of payment will be accepted for this service?
Will passengers be provided with technical support onboard the aircraft if they need it?
How does the Gogo Inflight Internet service technology work?
Why is the service only available at altitudes of 10,000 feet and above?
Are there plans to provide video and audio media content to passengers with this service?
What will the web video download experience be like?
What are the Gogo system’s key security measures?
Why is the Gogo service safe to use inside the plane?
Does this mean people will be able to use mobile phones on flights?
What about voice services such as VoIP?
Will you be filtering content for inappropriate material? Are other airlines filtering content?
Wi-Fi with US answers
What will US Airways offer with the Gogo Inflight Internet Wi-Fi system?
We’ll be transforming our aircraft into flying hotspots by equipping our fleet of 50 Airbus A321s with Wi-Fi by early 2010. Anyone with a Wi-Fi enabled device such as a laptop, smartphone or PDA will enjoy full internet access to the web, IM and email including secure VPN access to corporate email and networks. Gogo has developed plans for how their network will respond to technology advances to provide faster speeds and new services in the future.
Will Gogo Inflight Internet be available to everyone on the aircraft? How much will it cost?
Wi-Fi service will be available to anyone onboard an aircraft equipped with Gogo Inflight Internet. If this service is available on your flight, you'll see a Wi-Fi icon when you’re booking your flight on usairways.com starting in early 2010.
We plan to follow the standard price structure for Gogo Inflight Internet. Gogo prices range from $5.95 to $12.95, depending on the length of flight and type of Wi-Fi enabled device used to access the service.
How many passengers will be able to access the Gogo service at one time?
Anyone with a Wi-Fi enabled device will be able to log on to Gogo Inflight Internet.
What devices will the Gogo Inflight Internet service work with?
All Wi-Fi enabled devices will work with the Gogo Inflight Internet service including laptops, smartphones and PDAs such as BlackBerry Bold, iPhone and iPod Touch.
Are power ports readily available on US Airways aircraft?
Airbus A321 aircraft are not equipped with power outlets. Gogo recommends bringing a back-up power source for your device. Read the Gogo Pre-Flight Checklist at gogoinflight.com for helpful tips prior to boarding a Gogo equipped flight.
Can passengers sign up for the service in advance of their flights?
Yes. You can go to gogoinflight.com to create an account and sign up for the service any time before your flight.
How easy is it to sign on to Gogo?
It's very simple – just like connecting at a coffee shop. At 10,000 feet, once it's okay to turn on personal electronic devices, you can access the service by simply turning on your Wi-Fi enabled device, selecting the Gogo wireless network and opening your browser. You'll then be directed to the Gogo portal to pay for the service. The entire process is easy and fast. In less than a few minutes, you can be surfing the internet.
What forms of payment will be accepted for this service?
All major credit cards will be accepted as payment for this service including American Express, Visa and MasterCard.
Will passengers be provided with technical support onboard the aircraft if they need it?
Wi-Fi enabled aircraft will have a seatback card with instructions for how to access the system. When you reach the Gogo login page you can chat live with Gogo technical support specialists 24 hours a day. While on the ground, you can contact Gogo for technical support using the contact information provided on the seatback card or by calling 877-350-0038.
How does the Gogo Inflight Internet service technology work?
Gogo has a network of cellular towers throughout the continental U.S. that allow transmission of broadband internet connectivity to Gogo-equipped aircraft. Three small antennas installed on the outside of the aircraft (two ATG antennas under the aircraft and one GPS antenna on top of the aircraft) receive the signal and send it to the Gogo system aboard the aircraft. The Gogo system then transmits a Wi-Fi signal inside the cabin for passenger use.
Why is the service only available at altitudes of 10,000 feet and above?
This is the minimum altitude at which FAA regulations allow the use of portable electronic devices in-flight.
Are there plans to provide video and audio media content to passengers with this service?
The Gogo Inflight Internet experience will include internet, VPN access, IM and email at launch. We'll explore further options later. Additional multi-media enhancements will be considered as customer feedback is assessed.
How much bandwidth will there be inside the cabin? What's the capacity of the link back to the ground?
Gogo Inflight Internet uses a widely deployed wireless data technology (EV-DO Rev. A) modified for its unique air-to-ground service. In conjunction with other Gogo network and system features, this technology enables the Gogo system to provide a rich 3G wireless experience for airborne web surfers.
What will the web video download experience be like?
Video downloading times are similar to mobile broadband on the ground.
Does the Gogo system have a technology solution to deal with 'bandwidth hogs' or to prioritize traffic?
Yes, the Gogo system does have a feature that throttles traffic, if necessary.
Is the Gogo system safe/secure for passengers to check company email and access other confidential documents?
Absolutely. Gogo supports virtually all corporate VPNs so you can use the service in full compliance with business security requirements. In addition, Gogo is working with ISPs like iPass so if you’re required to gain access through an enhanced security service, you can also use Gogo Inflight Internet.
What are the Gogo system’s key security measures?
Gogo is similar to any other public Wi-Fi hotspot. Credit card transactions are encrypted and fully secure. Other traffic on Gogo, however, is not encrypted. Without requiring users to download and install client software on their devices, public W-Fi networks are unable to fully encrypt internet traffic. If you need that level of security, Gogo supports virtually all VPN clients as well as secure services like iPass.
Why is the Gogo service safe to use inside the plane?
Gogo Inflight Internet service relies on air-to-ground technology, which is completely safe to use and will not interfere with any of the plane’s systems. The Gogo system is approved by both the FCC and FAA and is the only communications operator to receive such approvals – a first for the communications and U.S. aerospace industries.
Does this mean people will be able to use mobile phones on flights?
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) currently prohibits the use of cell phones in flight because they rely on cellular technology, which operates at a wireless frequency that could potentially interfere with the aircraft’s electronics. Gogo Inflight Internet operates using Wi-Fi technology, which runs on a different frequency that is FAA-approved and completely safe. You’ll only be able to use the Wi-Fi feature (airplane mode) of your Wi-Fi enabled smartphones and PDA devices.
What about voice services such as VoIP?
VoIP is safe as it relies on an internet connection and not cellular technology. However, its use in flight is against our policies and the Gogo Terms of Service. Fundamentally, this policy has been implemented as a reaction to widespread passenger aversion to the idea of many people talking loudly on flights. Aircell has multiple protocols and practices in place to prevent the use of VoIP. Obviously, it is extremely difficult to stop every instance of VoIP but Aircell will monitor and attempt to prevent VoIP use. At this time, there are no U.S. carriers who permit the use of VoIP in flight.
Will you be filtering content for inappropriate material? Are other airlines filtering content?
We'll work with Gogo to filter inappropriate content.