People flying on AirTran, Delta or Virgin America between November 20, 2010 and January 2, 2011 will have free Wi-Fi on any of their domestic flights.

“We are constantly working to help provide a better web experience to users around the world,” said Sundar Pichai, Vice President of Product Management at Google.

“Whether it be building a better browser with Chrome or bringing free Wi-Fi to air travelers this holiday season, we are constantly innovating to ensure users’ access to the web is fast, simple and seamless.”

As the three airlines that have outfitted their entire domestic fleet with in-flight Wi-Fi, this promotion will bring free Internet service to more than 700 planes and approximately 15 million expected passengers this holiday season.

This season marks the second straight year that Google has provided free Wi-Fi to travelers over the holiday season. Last year, Google worked with Virgin America as well as more than 50 airports to provide free Internet both on the ground and in the air.

 Virgin America said the move to Gmail will improve its productivity for its more than 1,700 employees and it will help to streamline its IT infrastructure.

“Google answers our data, connectivity and security needs better than any other system.  Our business model is based on staying ahead of the competition by remaining flexible and efficient,  said said Ravi Simhambhatla, Chief Information Officer for Virgin America.

“Google Apps allow us to do just that, so we can upgrade based on the latest technology, and not be confined by budget or staffing to out-of-date systems.  Once you have Google Apps, you have the most recent version."

Virgin said it is transitioning all of its employees across North America to Gmail. The airline said all of its employees will have made the sift to Gmail by November 10.

"With Google Apps and on-board WiFi, Virgin America teammates now have their office in the clouds wherever their final destination may be,” said said Matthew Glotzbach, Google Enterprise product management director.

Virgin America will donate five dollars for each booking over the next 24 hours to education focused nonprofits.

The "Fly Forward, Give Back" Twitter 24-hour fare sale is good for travel across Virgin America’s network between August 24, 2010-November 17, 2010.  Tickets must be purchased between 7:00am PT on August 3, 2010 and 7:00am PT on August 4, 2010.

Virgin America will donate up to $50,000 today – and 100 percent of the donation will go to KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) Classroom Projects on DonorsChoose.org.  DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that allows people to help students.

Virgin America is an ongoing supporter of the KIPP network, which operates free, open-enrollment, college-prep public schools in under-resourced communities.
 

The maps will show viewers (almost) exactly where they’re at as they fly as usual, but it now features terrain view and new data showing elevation, mountains, etc. "In other words, it more closely matches what you’d actually see if you had cloud-penetrating eyesight and looked out the window from 35,000 feet," writes Google Product Marketing Manager Jesse Friedman.

"One of my favorite truisms is, ‘no matter where you go, there you are,’" says Friedman. "Call me sappy, but it’s a nice way to remember that every place on Earth has meaning, history and identity. But let’s face it: when you’re on an airplane, traveling over unknown lands at triple-digit speeds, it’s hard to get a sense of where you really are."

In addition to the new Google Maps data, Virgin America has also announced that it will be ordering 60 new planes, tripling its size. This means the airline will be traveling to new destinations.

Last winter, Google and Virgin America teamed up to offer passengers free wi-fi during the holidays.

From November 10 to January 15, 2010, passengers on all Virgin America flights will be able to access email, shop online and visit social networks free of charge. In May Virgin became the first airline to offer Gogo Inflight Internet service on every flight.

"Since the launch of WiFi on all of our planes, we’ve seen an overwhelmingly positive response from travelers," said Porter Gale, Vice President of Marketing at Virgin America.

"We’ve found that both business and leisure travelers are using the service at a growing rate, and many consider the availability of in-flight WiFi one of the key factors in their booking decision."

Marissa Mayer, Google
VP of Search Products
and User Experience

Virgin estimates that currently 12-15 percent of its passengers are using the Gogo service. On some of the airline’s long-haul routes, the carrier is reporting that up to 20-25 percent of passengers are using the Gogo service.

Highlights of a recent Virgin America survey include:

•  More than half of respondents said that the availability of WiFi would influence their choice of airline.
•  The availability of in-flight power outlets is also a factor for many in choosing to fly with Virgin America.
•  72% agreed that VOIP should continue to be blocked to keep the cabin environment quiet.
•  53% of respondents carry a laptop on board.  Of those that connected to Gogo, 88% used a laptop.
•  Email is the most popular activity while using in-flight WiFi, followed by working remotely and social media.

"As millions of people pass through airports this holiday season in order to celebrate with their families, we wanted to give our users a gift – one that makes their travel easier and more convenient," said Marissa Mayer, Vice President of Search Products and User Experience at Google.

"The fundamental power of the Internet is in connecting people, and we hope that having a free WiFi connection while enroute will make home and family seem that much closer."

The first approval is a Supplemental Type Certificate, permitting installation and operation of Aircell’s in-flight mobile broadband on commercially operated Boeing 767-200 planes. The second approval is a Parts Manufacture Approval that allows for the manufacturing of aircraft parts at the company’s Bensenville, IL. facility.

Joe Cruz
SVP and CTO of Aircell
(Photo Credit: Aircell)

Aircell plans to offer in-flight broadband on American Airlines and Virgin America. The company has not given a specific date as to when the service will be available but says it will roll out sometime in 2008. Aircell said it might add other airlines in the future.

"Having received these critical approvals from the FAA, we now have the ability to rapidly expand to the rest of American’s 767-200 fleet," said Joe Cruz, SVP and CTO of Aircell. "Initially we will provide passengers flying between Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Miami in-flight Internet, which research indicates passengers want and need," continued Cruz.

"Working collaboratively with the FAA to receive the initial STC helps pave the way for future certifications on additional aircraft used by our airline partners."

Starting in March, Revision3 programming will be part of several Virgin America flights. Revision3 joins the Red system’s programming for passengers traveling between the seven cities served by the airline.

“The discriminating flier that chooses Virgin America is the same person that wants to enjoy programming about the subjects they are passionate about – music, technology, comedy, comics and movies,” Jim Louderback, Revision3 CEO, said in a statement.

In-flight services have broadened over the past few years, as airlines look for ways to distract passengers from what can be a cramped, expensive travel experience. By making some of the services available for a fee, an airline may gain some additional profit on a typical flight.

As a smaller carrier coming out of big cities with likely a more sophisticated customer base, Virgin America can take a chance on Revision3 appealing to its passengers. Since one destination, San Francisco, is in the heart of the tech industry, Revision3 should find some fans flying in and out of SFO.

The Virgin America-VH1 music video library is available on the Red inflight entertainment system, which includes videos from popular artists on VH1 networks, including Shakira, John Legend, Lily Allen, Kelly Clarkson and more. The inflight video music library will expand to up to 50 music videos, including performances from VH1 Classic and VH1 Soul networks.

"Virgin America is all about bringing a little fun back to flying and music is a key component of this — from the soundtrack in our bathrooms to the 3,000 free MP3 tracks featured on our in-seat entertainment system," said Charles Ogilvie, Director of Entertainment and Partnerships at Virgin America.

"VH1′s incredible catalog of music videos will take this to the next level, by offering our guests a totally unique and fun onboard music and entertainment experience. All music videos are free of charge to every guest on every Virgin America flight."

Virgin America said soon passengers will be able to make music video playlists and preferences inflight using the Red entertainment system.

Passengers on Virgin America will be able to check email, surf the Web, stay connected with the workplace and keep up with news, using Virgin America’s Red in-flight entertainment system or their own Wi-Fi enabled device while in flight.

As part of the partnership, AirCell and Virgin America will integrate AirCell’s broadband service into Virgin America’s in-flight entertainment system, Red. The airline will launch the service on its entire fleet of planes.

"AirCell’s broadband service is the obvious choice to add to our guest experience," said Charles Ogilvie, Virgin America’s Director of In-flight Entertainment & Partnerships.

"Our goal with broadband is simple: let guests decide how and when they want to communicate and interact by providing relevant options. In AirCell we have a partner who knows and understands innovation."

In early August AirCell struck a deal with American Airlines to provide broadband on some of its overseas flights. The cost of the service will be announced at launch.

"The Virgin way of doing things is world renowned for good reason," said Jack Blumenstein, AirCell CEO. "Virgin brings radical, positive change to every industry in which it operates. The AirCell relationship is no different and we are proud to partner with Virgin America in one of the most significant transformative experiences in the airline industry."

Unfortunately for Virgin America, this feature won’t be entirely unique – JetBlue reached a similar deal with Google over a month ago – but there are still some neat features.

“Virgin America’s guests will be able to locate where they are, how far they are from their destination and how much time is remaining in the flight, in addition to being able to pan and zoom at eight different levels,” reports a press release.  “Guests will be able to plan their travels . . . either through a navigational toolbar on their touch-screen seatback monitor or by touching a button located within arm’s reach.”

Now there’s some PR spin for you – isn’t everything within arm’s reach in those cramped tubes?  Virgin America’s publicist has done his (or her) job well, however, and the Google Maps development is turning a lot of heads, including one at the San Francisco Business Times.

I’m not ready to choose an airline based on whether or not it has Google software on board, but then again, I wouldn’t mind seeing the search giant’s logo at 35,000 feet.