Southwest Airlines wants WiFi

We're finally seeing a somewhat solid intention from a U.S. airline to deploy WiFi service in its plane cabins. Southwest Airlines told analysts during the company's conference call last week that it plans to outfit a few planes with in-cabin wireless Internet service that would enable email and entertainment services. The airline, known for its no-frills service, plans to issue RFPs and hopes to initiate a prototype service within the next nine months. Other airlines continue to give lip service to WiFi, saying they are looking into it.

Meanwhile, Aircell is chomping at the bit to get started on such projects. The company won exclusive rights last June to the air-to-ground spectrum that will enable it to provide wireless broadband services on airplanes. But it hasn't seen any airlines bite yet.

For more about Southwest Airlines WiFi plans:
- read this article from the Denver Post