American Airlines is the next big carrier to embrace in-flight broadband Internet. The service runs off the Aircell system I previously wrote about back in January.

Some American Airlines Inc. transcontinental passengers will get a chance to browse the Internet in-flight on Wednesday.

The Fort Worth-based carrier and technology provider Aircell LLC said Tuesday that they are planning a dress rehearsal of the service on a round trip flight between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Los Angeles.

A broader customer trial on flights between New York and San Francisco and New York and Miami is expected to begin in the next couple of weeks and the carrier is considering expanding to other fleet types, said H. Douglas Backelin, American’s manager of inflight communications and technology.

"I think there will be great reception to the service," Mr. Backelin said. American and Aircell have spent the last three months conducting in-flight tests on the carrier’s fleet of 15 Boeing 767-200 airplanes, but Wednesday will be the first time the airline’s customers can give it a whirl.

Access will cost $12.95 for long flights (over 3 hours) and $9.95 for shorter flights. Access to some sites (like Frommers) will be free.

Source: Dallasnews.com