Service will be on domestic 767-200s

American Airlines this week formally inaugurated in-flight WiFi availability on its 767-200 non-stop flights between New York-San Francisco, New York-Los Angeles, and New York-Miami. Provided by Aircell, the service – brand-named Gogo – will be available in all cabins for a fee of $12.95. That will provide full Internet and email access for users of WiFi-equipped laptops, PDAs, smartphones and other devices, but customers will not be able to make cell phone calls or Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) calls such as Skype with the Gogo system. (They will, however, be able to use text-based instant messaging functionality, including Skype’s.) For no fee, passengers will be able to use the system to access American’s web site so they can check flight information, gates and times, fares and AAdvantage accounts. American said it will accept all major credit cards in payment for the service. Passengers access Gogo by turning on their device, selecting the Gogo option and opening their browsers, where they will be directed to the Gogo portal to sign up. Data transmission speeds will be “similar to the mobile broadband experience on the ground,” American said. The Gogo/Aircell system is not satellite-based; instead, it uses antennae on the exterior of the aircraft to communicate with cell towers on the ground.