FORT WORTH, TX — Thanks to escalating fuel prices, American Airlines is one of many carriers playing a carrot and stick game with consumers in hopes of continuing to attract butts to seats. Potential passengers are already painfully aware of the stick: rising ticket prices and the fact they’ll pay to have even a single piece of their luggage checked. Now America Airlines has offered a carrot: some flights will include the Wi-Fi access. According to a company press release and mainstream press coverage, American Airlines 767-200 fleet is now equipped with Gogo™ from Aircell, allowing passengers to enjoy mobile broadband services while in the air.

Currently only those flying non-stop between New York and San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles, or New York and Miami will have the chance to spend $9.95 – $12.95 per flight for the privilege of checking email, chatting with friends, or visiting the Web – and VOIP services such as Skype are still restricted.

“We are pleased to provide our customers with the unprecedented ability to stay connected to their family, friends, and business associates on the ground via the internet while traveling at 30,000 feet above the United States,” American Airlines’ executive vice-president of marketing, Dan Garton announced. “With today’s launch, American Airlines makes history as the first and only U.S. airline to offer customers full in-flight internet connectivity, demonstrating once again our industry leadership and focus on our customers.”

Although Aircell is also working with Delta Airlines to offer Wi-Fi via Gogo™, America Airlines is the first to reach the finish line, with Delta expected to begin offering the service by the middle of 2009. Virgin America plans to have Gogo™ available on its flights by the end of this year, and JetBlue Airways is currently testing its Wi-Fi service on flights between San Francisco and New York, with Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines also entering the Wi-Fi field after in-flight testing is complete. United Airlines has not announced any intention to test the service, although company representatives have indicated that offering in-flight Wi-Fi is being considered.

Once aircraft have reached 10,000 America Airlines passengers in all cabins can launch their Web browsers and opt pay $9.95 for less than three hours of connectivity, or $12.95 for flights that last longer. In addition to laptops, the service is available for PDAs and smartphones.

“Today, U.S. air travel changes forever,” Jack Blumenstein, president and CEO for Aircell announced in the AA press release. “With Aircell’s unique ATG in-flight internet service, airlines finally have an economically viable option for providing the broadband connectivity passengers are demanding. American Airlines is the first to bring in-flight internet to market, and today the days of being cut off from the rest of the world while in the air become history.”

To learn more about the Gogo™ service, visit www.GoGoInFlight.com.