Mango in-flight Wi-Fi plans and prices
Mango announced today that it plans to be the first South African airline to offer Internet connectivity on board all its aircraft later this year, subject to CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) approval processes.
Mango has extended its partnership with G-Connect to include the in-flight Wi-Fi services in addition to its current broadband offerings.
While Mango would only say that using the G-Connect Internet on board Mango’s aircraft will cost “less than R1 per megabyte”, MyBroadband can reveal that the pricing is likely to be between 40c per MB and 80c per MB.
“The launch of web-connectivity on board our aircraft not only underpins Mango’s business objectives but allows travellers, in particular our business guests, to leverage a priceless commodity – time,” says CEO Nico Bezuidenhout.
Bezuidenhout says that Mango’s Internet service will be operational across its fleet of new generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Mango will follow a similar rollout process as America’s low cost Southwest airline.
Carel van der Merwe, CEO of WirelessG says: “G-Connect strives to be an innovative product within the telecoms space, but with our first in-flight partnership with Mango, we are able to take this one step further and provide a low cost Internet service for local flyers as well.”
“There are no sign-up costs to get a G-Connect account and no contract tie-ins, which makes this a viable option for all Mango Guests. Your G-Connect account then allows you stay connected through a shared wallet on the ground, or in-flight Wi-Fi in the air, paying only for the services use.”
The satellite based technology will deliver high speed Internet at altitude. Several airlines have made connectivity at altitude available globally with great success. Bezuidenhout adds though that Mango’s service will be moderated to exclude access to potentially offensive web content.
“In order to ensure the comfort of all our Guests on board, content that should be accessed in privacy will not be available.”
Subash Devkaran, Senior Manager: Aircraft Certification Division of of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) adds: “The application for and availaibility of wireless Internet on board commercial airliners is welcomed by the CAA. We do believe installation of this system would facilitate business efficiency in South Africa, thereby contributing to enhanced economic growth in the country.”
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