Delta Sets ETA for Internet Service

Starting this fall, Delta will install the wireless system, with a goal of completing work on the approximately 330 aircraft in its domestic fleet, by next summer. The work can be completed during overnight maintenance, enabling a rapid installation process. The carrier has not yet developed plans for Internet access on international flights.

Among other carriers, American is also working with Aircell to provide wireless service. Last month, American took the system live for a day, testing it on a round trip between New York's Kennedy Airport and Los Angeles. Later this year, American is expected to roll it out on 15 of its 767-200s, which fly from Kennedy to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami. Aircell's third airline customer is Virgin America.

Aircell does not release financial results. Last month, the company completed the third tranche of a package of equity and debt financing now totaling $265 million, a spokesman said. To date, Aircell has not spoken publicly about a public offering.

Among low-fare carriers, JetBlue(JBLU Quote) in December became the first U.S. carrier to offer onboard email access to passengers with Wi-Fi enabled laptops and smart phones. So far, the service is confined to a single aircraft, an A320 named BetaBlue.

Meanwhile, Southwest(LUV Quote) says it will install wireless equipment on four aircraft this fall. Southwest is working with Los Angeles-based Row 44 on a system that uses satellite-based Internet service, rather than land-based.

Aviation consultant Robert Mann says Delta is the most aggressive carrier in moving to offer Internet connectivity, but key barriers remain. They include ramping up the technology, which "will have the usual teething problems," and developing a method to offer Internet access during long international flights.