Let’s be honest: in-flight Wi-Fi is usually too expensive, too slow and provides the user with a general feeling of frustration. But what if you had a cheaper option that didn’t allow you to do any actual web surfing, but allowed you to stay in touch via messaging apps? Would you use it?
Well, in-flight internet provider Gogo is betting you will. The company’s new messaging pass allows passengers to use WhatsApp, Skype and Viber on mobile devices during flights. So now, instead of hopelessly waiting for that cat video to buffer, you can return that message your mom sent you three days ago.
At the affordable cost of $3 a pop, it’s definitely a more economical choice than shelling out for full-access Wi-Fi.
Gogo partners with 12 different airlines, and according to the website is available on certain domestic routes operated by Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin America. It’s available on all Virgin America flights, for example, but some carriers like Delta and American only have the service on certain aircraft.