- Will all Alaska Airlines flights have Wi-Fi?
As we are in the early stages of launching this service, we will not know in advance which aircraft will be equipped Wi-Fi. Aircraft are being modified as quickly as possible but it will take more than a year before all aircraft have Wi-Fi capability. There are no current plans to equip Horizon Air planes with Wi-Fi.
- Will my flight have Wi-Fi?
We do not know in advance which aircraft will be flying which routes so we cannot say for certain you will or will not have Wi-Fi on your flight. Aircraft are being modified as quickly as possible but it will take more than a year before all aircraft have Wi-Fi capability. You will know an aircraft has Wi-Fi onboard when you see a special mark near the boarding door or on the side of the airplane.
- Do I have to pre-pay?
Once you start your browser you will be asked to agree to our terms of service and to identify yourself. You will then be asked to enter your credit card information before you are allowed to access the Internet. The credit card information is transmitted via a secure SSL transaction.
- If I have problems or if my computer stops working part way through the flight, will I get a partial refund?
If the system becomes unavailable during the flight, we will provide full or partial refunds. However, if your device has problems and others are able to connect without difficulty we will not provide a refund.
- How soon can I start using it? Can I use it while I'm on the ground waiting to take off or do I have to wait until I'm in the air?
You can only use the system above 10,000 feet, when the flight attendant says it's available.
- What type of equipment do I need to have to use Wi-Fi?
You need a battery-powered device that can connect to a network using 802.11b/g/n (broadband) protocol, commonly known as Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi enabled devices may include, laptop computers, Blackberry, Palm, and iPhone devices, etc. If your device is able to connect to wireless service at your local coffee shop or at a hotel, you should be able to connect on our aircraft. If you don't know whether or not your device can use Wi-Fi, contact your device manufacturer for details.
- How do I get connected? Will the flight attendant be able to help me connect?
Since each device is different, we cannot provide detailed connection instructions either in this FAQ or onboard the aircraft so please read the documentation that came with your device prior to flight. The Service Set Identifier (SSID) for your connection is "Alaska Star." In most cases, simply open a browser on your device to get started.
- Will I need my own power supply?
All devices brought onboard need to run off battery power. Our aircraft do not have supplemental power for this purpose.
- What is the connection speed?
The connection speed varies depending on aircraft location, the number of passengers using the system and how they are using the system. Peak bandwidth is around 35 Mbps to the aircraft.
- Is the Wi-Fi connection secure or encrypted? Which wireless protocol is used?
Like all other Internet service providers, the security of your connection is dependent on the websites you choose to visit. The connection itself is not encrypted so you don't have to enter a security key to use it. Our aircraft will initially be equipped with 802.11b/g but we plan to upgrade to 802.11n once that protocol is formally accepted.
- Is there a time limit or bandwidth limit? Can I stream video or audio over this connection? Can I download things while using this service?
The only time limit on a flight is the 10,000 foot indicator-below that point electronic devices are not allowed to be turned on, and the system will be turned off for Flight Attendant and passenger safety. Bandwidth limitations depend on the number of users simultaneously connected and how much bandwidth they are using. Generally speaking, you will be able to receive streaming video and audio or download files.
- Do you allow VPN connections? Do you block any ports that I may use (SMTP, telnet, RDP, Peer to Peer?)
We only block VoIP (voice communications); all other ports remain open.
- Will I be able to use my cell phone or Skype for talking?
Although you can use your cell phone for surfing the Internet, sending email, etc. (assuming it has Wi-Fi capability) we do not allow passengers to use the system for voice communication either through a cell phone or Skype-like service.
- Can I conduct/participate in a videoconference while in flight?
Although you may be able to videoconference, we do not allow voice communications so participation will be limited.
- Will content be blocked?
Content is not blocked; each passenger is responsible for their own surfing behavior just as he or she is responsible for their magazines, movies and other materials brought on board. Passengers will be required to agree to certain terms of use when they log in, including a commitment to use the system appropriately.
- When will this service begin?
We expect to test this service on select aircraft beginning in the Fall of 2008, with hopes to expand to the entire fleet.
- Will I be able to play video games over the internet?
Yes.
