American Airlines Inc. plans to add Internet capabilities to many of its airplanes in 2009 and 2010.

Published: 31 Mar 2009

American Airlines Inc. plans to add Internet capabilities to many of its airplanes in 2009 and 2010.

The AMR Corp. unit began offering wireless Internet to domestic customers on 15 of its Boeing 767-200 planes last August.

Now, it plans to install the service on 150 of its MD-80 planes in 2009 and start equipping another 153 of its Boeing 737-800 planes in 2010 for use on domestic flights.

“The reception, I must say, has just been phenomenal,” said Doug Backelin, American’s in-flight communications and technology manager.

American is charging $7.95 for customers who use hand-held wireless devices. Fees for laptops range from $9.95 for flights that are less than three hours to $12.95 for longer flights. Delta’s prices are identical.

Both American and Delta are using air-to-ground technology developed by Aircell LLC, an Illinois-based company.

Several U.S. airlines are planning on or weighing offering Internet on domestic flights. Virgin America expects to have its fleet of 28 planes outfitted for Wi-Fi by the end of June.

Related links: Wireless Internet

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