While passengers on domestic flights might not want to search the Web while in the air, they may want to keep in touch with people on the ground.
In-flight Wi-Fi provider Gogo thinks it might have a solution with a new messaging plan.
According to a press release, Gogo is offering a $3 “messaging pass” that offers passengers access familiar messaging applications like WhatsApp, Viber, Skype, iMessage and other popular services on their mobile devices.
The company says the messaging pass can only be purchased on mobile devices by launching their mobile browser and selecting “Messaging Pass” from the in-flight portal home page.
The messaging pass is available on most Gogo equipped flights in the U.S. and Canada.
Ash ElDifrawi, Gogo’s chief commercial officer, said his company realized that some passengers simply want to continue conversations and stay connected in flight, but don’t necessarily want or need to utilize email or full web browsing.
“Our messaging pass is a low-bandwidth solution that is offered at a lower price point than our internet service, making it the perfect solution for passengers who simply want to exchange messages with other app users on the ground,” ElDifrawi said.