American Airlines introduces in-flight Internet access
One of the few remaining Internet-free havens vanished Wednesday as American Airlines launched airborne e-mail, Web and other online services on some of its longer nonstop flights.
The move could create a new stream of revenue for an aviation industry facing high fuel prices and other challenges. But it also could create new headaches as passengers retrieve sensitive e-mails and websites in confined quarters.
It also could end a common excuse people have to avoid checking "urgent" e-mail requests from their bosses. American, a unit of Fort Worth-based AMR Corp., tested in-flight Internet access on two flights June 25. With Wednesday's launch, the airline is making service available for $12.95 per flight on its 15 Boeing 767-200 planes connecting New York with Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami.
