In-flight Wi-Fi pricing and launch dates

South African travellers can expect to use in-flight Wi-Fi from WirelessG/G-Connect from early 2012. This follows approval from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to install its in-flight Wi-Fi enabling equipment on board South African Commercial Aircraft.

WirelessG said that they plan to launch their in-flight Wi-Fi in early 2012 at prices which are lower than current 3G rates.

The company explained that the idea is not to charge per MB, but rather provide uncapped access for the duration of the flight on a fixed fee basis.

WirelessG added that the G-Connect in-flight vouchers are likely to cost between R50 and R100 each.

Multi-million Rand investment

According to WirelessG they will invest approximately R3.5 million to R4 million per aircraft. The company pointed out that the project is extremely capital and exchange rate sensitive.

The company said that they will announce within the next few weeks who their strategic partners in this project will be.

Which planes?

The CAA approval for in-flight Wi-Fi is for Boeing 737-800 planes which are used in most of the well known domestic flights.

“Our first 6 aircraft transport about 2 million passengers per annum. We have to go through the same process if we want to extend the same STC to other aircraft,” Wireless G said.

Related article: In-flight Wi-Fi CAA approval