Is Skype in the sky a pie-in- the- sky idea?

Not necessarily.

Gogo, a new service being tested this year by American Airlines and Virgin Air, will feature broadband service at 30,000 feet.

At its website, Gogo describes how people will go online on transcontinental flights to check their e-mail, buy stuff, etc.

But nowhere does it mention the possibility of Skype audio or video calls. Huh?

Brenda Chroniak, spokeswoman for Aircell, the suburban Chicago company that owns and markets Gogo, gave me the 411 on in-flight calling.

She said: “Gogo service will launch first on American Airlines, followed by Virgin America. The system has already been installed on American Airlines aircraft and the service will go live in the first half of 2008.”

She confirmed: “There are not plans at this time to allow Internet calling aboard an aircraft."

But Chroniak said it isn’t federal regulations that’s the hang-up: “This is out of courtesy to other passengers.”

In other words, the airlines don’t want to alienate the seatmates and neighbors of people who are yakking online.

Airplanes are a noisy crowded environment with passengers sitting elbow to elbow.
I can see the point. The equivalent of a “cell yell” on board an aircraft would be yet another annoyance.

On the other hand, I can remember using those phones in the back of seats on airplanes. Somehow we all survived. Likewise, cell phone use is common on commuter trains and buses.

The main thing is courtesy and consideration. Of course, these are commodities that can be in short supply.

Maybe if Gogo 1.0 goes well, 2.0 will allow us to have our Skype in the sky.

Chroniak held up this hope: “VoIP is not totally out the question. Airlines may choose to trial it in the future, but for now, VOIP will be blocked at launch for passenger comfort during the flight.”