Continental Airlines provided an update Jan. 21 on the status of various onboard technology services.
The airline will begin this summer installing Gogo Inflight Internet service on the carrier's 21 Boeing 757-300 aircraft. Powered by Aircell network, the Wi-Fi service will be available in the lower 48 states -- the continental U.S. -- starting at $4.95, depending on the flight length.
Around these parts -- North America -- Air Canada, AirTran, American Airlines, Delta, United and Virgin America offer Gogo Wi-Fi at least on some flights. US Airways plans to introduce Gogo Internet service on its 50 A321 aircraft "early in 2010."
Continental currently offers DirecTV on 53 aircraft, the airline says. The airline has finished installing DirecTV on all of its Boeing 737-900ER aircraft, and plans to complete installations on its Boeing 737 Next-Generation aircraft by the end of 2010.
First-class passengers get DirecTV for the same price as a glass of champagne -- for free -- and coach passengers pay $6 to go channel surfing.
All of these services -- including anything purchased onboard except duty-free items -- must be purchased by credit or debit cards because Continental says it has completed its transition to a cashless cabin.