Several US airlines have decided to offer free access to Facebook via their Wi-Fi networks for the month of February.

Published: 03 Feb 2011

Several US airlines have decided to offer free access to Facebook via their Wi-Fi networks for the month of February.

AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, U.S. Airways and Virgin America are among the airlines offering Facebook access while in flight, thanks to a deal with Gogo Inflight Internet. The service will be free for the month of February.

Facebook continues to be the number one website visited by travellers using Gogo at 30,000 feet, according to Aircell, the company that owns Gogo Inflight Internet.

Those who wish to use services other than Facebook must pay extra. Prices range from $4.95 for a short flight to $12.95 for a long one.

“This isn’t like offering free Wi-Fi in a Starbucks,” said Ash ElDifrawi, Gogo’s chief marketing officer, according to a report filed by USA Today. “It is an expensive undertaking, and we are sensitive to reasonable pricing. It’s like asking Verizon and AT&T to give away 4G" wireless network access.”