Low-cost carrier Mango has finally launched its long-awaited in-flight internet service, in partnership with Wireless G and Vodacom. The new G-Connect In-Flight Wi-Fi service means Mango Guests can now surf the web in-flight at 30 000 feet.

G-Connect In-Flight Wi-Fi allows for full internet connectivity on board Mango’s aircraft, including sending and receiving emails, web browsing as well as the use of all social networks. An air-to-land SMS service will also be available, managed through a web service.

Mango CEO Nico Bezuidenhout said that the introduction of on-board connectivity fulfils the airline’s on-going ideal of innovation in aviation and its desire for product differentiation.

"In a highly competitive market where everything tastes like chicken, it’s important to taste like beef. Innovation is a cornerstone of our business along with sustained affordable fares that are relative to the prevailing market." 

The service is compatible with most Wi-Fi-enabled devices including smartphones, tablets and laptops. 

There are three different G-Connect In-Flight Wi-Fi packages on offer. One-Way Access is priced at R50 per single sector flight, with a One Day pass available at R90, irrespective of the number of flights completed during a 20-hour period.

A per-minute option, billed through G-Connect online account, offers land and air convergence at R1 per minute.  All three packages offer unlimited data use during the allotted time.

The service will be monitored continually with real-time support available to users. Data-heavy services like YouTube and peer-to-peer downloads will, however, be disallowed.

“This is done to ensure the quality of the service remains unimpeded. We already have plans in place to expand the G-Connect In-Flight Wi-Fi product offering further in a second phase, where we aim to include IPTV and other entertainment services”, concluded Van Der Merwe.

The roll-out of the G-Connect In-Flight Wi-Fi service should see 80 percent of Mango’s fleet online by the end of June 2012.