American Airlines to Offer Streaming In-Flight Entertainment

American Airlines is reporting that it has achieved an industry first as it begins testing its new in-flight streaming video product from Aircell which will offer the airline's customers a brand-new, innovative in-flight entertainment option. The new product will allow customers to wirelessly stream content such as movies and TV shows from an in-flight library to their personal Wi-Fi-enabled devices during flight.

American, partnering with Aircell, is currently testing the new in-flight video system on two Boeing 767-200 aircraft in transcontinental service, and plans to begin customer testing early this summer. The airline's goal is to roll out this product on Wi-Fi-enabled aircraft starting this fall pending FAA certifications.

In addition, American will work with Aircell to further enhance onboard connectivity by expanding in-flight Wi-Fi accessibility to its narrow-body fleet, including additional MD80 and domestic Boeing 757-200 aircraft, successfully completing its goal to offer Wi-Fi on all of its domestic aircraft dedicated to flying within the continental U.S.

The Wi-Fi expansion will include 93 of American's domestic 757s used for routes within the continental U.S., and up to 50 additional MD80 aircraft. Installation will begin this summer and continue through 2012. In addition, American continues to install Wi-Fi service on its entire fleet of 737-800 aircraft.

American's inflight Wi-Fi and the new streaming video product are powered by the Aircell air-to-ground system, which uses three small antennas installed outside the aircraft and connects to Aircell's exclusive nationwide mobile broadband network. Pricing for the new streaming video offering will be determined closer to launch and at the completion of customer testing.

The streaming video offering is American's latest enhancement in a series of investments in mobile technology.

Visit www.aa.com.