Delta to launch in-flight Internet service

NEW YORK, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. airlines are scrambling to make Internet service available to passengers and Delta Air Lines will break the ice in October, the carrier said.

Delta said Tuesday it would offer broadband services to passengers for a flat fee of $9.95 for flights shorter than 3 hours and for $12.95 on longer flights, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

JetBlue initiated a limited wireless service on planes in December, the Post reported. Alaska Airlines, Continental, American Airlines, Southwest and Virgin America is also working toward on-flight Internet service, the Post reported.

There is a large potential for profits, airline experts said.

"If they charge for it, they are going to make millions and millions of dollars," airline consultant Mike Boyd told the Post.

"We get separation anxiety when we are not on the Internet for a few hours," he said.

Delta's system involves installing antennas on planes that communicate with towers on the ground, the Post reported.

The airline said the system would start with 75 planes this year and expand to its entire fleet within a year. If the U.S. Justice Department approves Delta's merger with Northwest Airlines, the system would expand to include Northwest planes, the Post said.