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Virgin America and AirCell Partner to Launch Inflight Broadband Connectivity Service Over U.S.

Posted on: Thursday, 13 September 2007, 12:00 CDT

ITASCA, Ill., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, AirCell(R), the leading wireless data and voice communications provider in business and commercial aviation, announced it is partnering with Virgin America to offer broadband Internet services for passengers traveling in the continental U.S. sometime in 2008. AirCell's new service will allow Virgin America guests to check e-mail, surf the Web, tap into an office network and stay current on the latest news, using either Virgin America's Red(TM) inflight entertainment system or their own Wi-Fi enabled laptops, Smartphones, PDAs, BlackBerrys(R) and portable gaming systems -- while in flight.

As part of the partnership, AirCell and Virgin America will integrate AirCell's broadband service into Virgin America's groundbreaking inflight entertainment system, Red(TM). In a first-of-its-kind deployment, Virgin America will launch the service across its entire fleet of aircraft.

This high-speed broadband Internet service is made possible by AirCell's unique air-to-ground cellular network, which transmits and receives data between the ground and the aircraft at broadband speeds.

Upon launch, Virgin America guests will have: -- U.S. broadband coverage, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific and the Canadian to the Mexican borders -- Connectivity on 802.11 Wi-Fi enabled devices -- Real-time access to the Internet (using the passenger's own browser, bookmarks, etc.) -- An array of context and destination-related content

"AirCell's broadband service is the obvious choice to add to our guest experience," said Charles Ogilvie, Virgin America's Director of Inflight Entertainment & Partnerships. "Our goal with broadband is simple: let guests decide how and when they want to communicate and interact by providing relevant options. In AirCell we have a partner who knows and understands innovation."

"The Virgin way of doing things is world renowned for good reason," said Jack Blumenstein, AirCell CEO. "Virgin brings radical, positive change to every industry in which it operates. The AirCell relationship is no different and we are proud to partner with Virgin America in one of the most significant transformative experiences in the airline industry."

The cost of the service on Virgin America will be announced at the time of service roll-out. For information about AirCell and its broadband Internet service visit http://www.aircell.com/

About AirCell

AirCell is the leader in global airborne telecommunications for the Commercial and Business Aviation markets. The winner of the FCC's exclusive

broadband frequency license in 2006, AirCell is pioneering a revolutionary new wireless broadband system for North America.

AirCell broadband system will include robust Wi-Fi hotspots that enable airline passengers to surf the Internet, use e-mail, and log on to their corporate VPN's using their personal Wi-Fi equipped devices. The system will also offer airline operational communications capabilities and provide a path to a wealth of future cabin services.

Set for introduction in 2008, the new broadband service will also be available to business aircraft operators, offering a similar set of features.

AirCell (http://www.aircell.com/) has facilities in Louisville, Colorado, and Itasca, Illinois, USA.

AirCell is a registered trademark of AirCell LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contact: Kim Hamelburg RF-Binder Partners 781-559-0429 kim.hamelburg@rfbinder.com

AirCell

CONTACT: Kim Hamelburg of RF-Binder Partners, +1-781-559-0429,kim.hamelburg@rfbinder.com, for AirCell

Web site: http://www.aircell.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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