Google Gives Great GoGo Juice as a gift, and they're doing it on Virgin American Airlines
This will be my first post ever from a plane flying at an altitude of over 37,225 feet. I just couldn't resist. My options were to either sleep on the 5 hour flight to New York, finish reading "Crush It" by Gary V, or write a blog post. Well, here I am. lol~ I'm actually hoping that in the next five hours, I can accomplish a little bit of all three. :-)
It was a really cool thing to arrive at the Virgin American Air gate this morning to see that they had Wi-Fi available for all us passengers. Then I was greeted with a handshake and a smile from one of the Virgin Air employees at the front desk, followed by seeing my name in lights on the "BIG" board. Wow, I have to say I got pretty excited, and was very impressed with their unique great customer service. I really appreciated that warm and fun reception.
I can tell already this is going to be a great trip to RainCamp and Inman Connect!
First thing after boarding the plane, I run into Derek Overby and Mike Mueller, both nearly as excited as I am to get to New York. (Actually, Mike Mueller is behind me sleeping right now, but I know he's excited). I just sent him an IM using this new "seat to seat chat" they have on board, but looks like Mikes getting his zzzzz's instead right now...
I digress. So how cool is this that I am writing this post from seat 18D aboard a flying aircraft. I have written many Blog posts and from "many" different places, but never while flying on a plane. Here I was thinking and dreading the worst of a long 5 hour+ flight from the West to East Coast. I sure am glad that Google has a hot thing going on with Virgin...wait...that doesn't sound quite right, but I think you know what I mean right? FREE WiFi on a plane, Man I just love that they've finally able and doing this.
Now I'm spoiled, I will never want to fly without Internet Access again. Google, please keep your "GoGo" coming, and provide it on all airlines, not just Virgin's. You've got my vote, it sure is making the time and flight go faster, and it's much more enjoyable knowing my email is not getting backed up over the next few hours. Thanks to Virgin Air and Google for bringing me my "first ever" Airborne Blogging experience. I'll probably want to travel a lot more now and you both know where I'll "GoGo" when it comes time to "FLY!"
Looking forward to landing in New York in a few hours, and I'm really excited about being a part of both Inman Connect and RainCamp this year. I hope I'll get to see you at either one or both. ...and I still can't believe I'm writing this while flying on a plane. :-))
Whew, that was close!!
I almost accidentally named this post Google Gives Great Gogo Juice to Virgin, sure glad I caught that one... :-O
Great way to pass the time Brad!...More productive than reading Sky Mall magazine for sure!...
Have a fun in the Big Apple!
Best regards,
Can this be the mile high rain club?
Welcome to the Big Apple Brad. Looking forward to meeting you in person.
And here I thought you'd have to be flying First Class to have that kind of technology at your fingertips...How COOL is that!
Brad * Concetta beat me to it!!! ActiveRain Mile High Club!!!
We flew on Virgin American on a flight to Las Vegas and we had the same experience being so impressed with the amount of entertainment they provide. I hope you brought a warm coat, gloves and scarf because it is cold here in Manhattan right now.
Judi - you're not kidding!! lol~
Concetta - be there in a couple more hours, looking forward to meeting you too. :-)
WOW!! I'm still blown away that I'm blogging and commenting from the plane.... gotta run over to Facebook real quick now!! haha~
Wow, that would be awesome to be able to have some productive time on those long flights! And to see your name in lights on the sign, priceless!
Brad it has been a while since I have flown, but I had not even heard of WI-FI being available on planes. Providing that service is such a great idea, and I am sure it makes the time fly by (did I just say that ..... LOL)
Brad - How cool is Virgin American! That looks like some setup they have there. Have a blast at ran camp see you in Dallas!
I wish I flew to places where Virgin went...but it doesn't seem to be in my cards.
Virgin is great and all BUT GOOGLE is the best!! Thanks to you and the rest of the AR community I'm learning new things to love about it every day.
Have fun in NYC. Can't wait for RainCamp DC
... now if i could just find somewhere to plug in on the plane, my battery is just about to die... DOH!!
As a native New Yorker now in the South all I can say is I am really envious of you and your trip. Look forward to reading about it
How very cool is that?!!!
The advancement of technology never ceases to amaze me.
Have a great time in NYC!
Oh, and good choice changing the title of this blog at the last minute!!!
ok, gotta run, transferring over to the iPhone now.
One day google will be able to provide wireless electricity for all our mobile technology... one day.
Don't laugh!! :-)))
Seat to seat texting? You've got to be kidding me?? That sounds like it was an awesome and productive plane ride!
That's pretty awesome. So do they give you wireless keyboards or are they built into the seats or something?
Chanda panda
Mike Mueller sleeps? Since when? Got a pic?
Free WiFi on a flight would definitely have the time pass quickly for me. Sounds like they are just getting you hooked and there will be a charge in the future - like staying at a hotel - $9.95 for the day or something like that if you want it in the room. Anyway we now have to have it where ever we go. Have fun in New York? You definitely should have taken a picture of Mike sleeping and included it in your blog.
I hope my next flight has free wifi! Enjoy New York and have a most excellent Rain Camp.
Brad...what next...moon blogging :)
The wonders on modern technology!! Welcome to the East Coast...have fun in NY, sorry I'll miss you guys!
Hi Brad-
I spend every plane ride blogging on my BlackBerry. What a pain! I envy you your great ride to NYC - all my flights will be better when I change to iPhone!
Steve and I will be back at RainCamp when it gets to a warm locale. There's a reason that we live in Texas! Have a great time!
--Sara in San Antonio
Brad - What a fabulous, high tech, trendy write up! I wish i were there, great job!
Brad,
I love flying Virgin Air...the mood lighting is so cool and they are always ahead of the game when it comes to comfort, entertainment, and hi tech! Free WiFi though, has to be the best... Have fun in the Big Apple and congrats on the mile high blogging!!
Brad, Virgin Air is awesome. I love their new decor and color! Happy to know that you got free Wi-Fi by Google. Looking forward in meeting you tomorrow. Cheers!
This blog post made me think of how far technology has come in the past 10 years. Amazing. What a wonderful way to welcome you to the flight by having your name and Active Rain on the electronic board. And seat-to-seat chat is fantastic! It saved you from having to turn around and say something with your real voice. Love it! LOL!!!
Have a safe and fun trip, my friend!...
That's pretty stinkin' awesome. Sadly, I would have been blogging, too. Sad addiction! :)
Brad- when I was a kid, I wanted a Dick Tracy watch. . . one that actually worked. Well, Wi-Fi, Google, and Smart Phones far surpass that. Hope you have a great trip.
Virgin is supposed to be the best, and I fly to the U.K. a lot. But my mileage is on United and are they ever the worst. Enjoy Rain Camp and thanks for the Go Go update. It is going to be on all planes soon which will make flying way more fun.
Brad, Cool, that Virgin has kept up with technology. Thanks for keeping us up to date also. How Cool "Fly Blogging"
Brad, you are always ahead of the rest of us! Thanks for leading the way with your sky post!
Brad - VA is VERY cool. I have flown them several times to SFO but they did not have their WIFI up and running. They have been one of the best flight experiences I have had (except first class to Europe LOL).
Jeff
Brad,
These guys, Google and Virgin, sure can put together something to write home about. Or write AR membership about. Seat-to-seat chat, hmmm?
Brad, Come on Wifi isn't a want it's a neeeeed. I'm with you on this one Google should go for providing it to all airlines.
Steve
that is so cool, wish it was available all the time, would make flying time go quicker. Maybe in the future.
I was catching ZZZZZZZZZZZ's.
Did you know there's also a power outlet beneath your seat?
Wifi is available on that flight all the time (it's just that right now it's free)
Interesting technology on these planes. I couldn't help noticing that you said you were at 37,225 ft. I think they're supposed to be at 37,000 ft. even. But that's just the olp pilot in me speaking.
Wow! Seeing Welcome Activerain must have been so cool! That really struck me. Having WiFi on a plane is a necessity these days!
Brad, It was a pleasure to meet you a minute ago. Had to come check out this post since you mentioned it. Very cool to see ActiveRain on the welcome sign.
Jon - the pleasure was all mine, it's great to see everyone who made it here today.
I'll be back in a bit to catch up on comments here...
If you're anywhere nearby in NYC, it's never too late anytime during the day to stop in and say hi to us all.
We have just a few seats still left.
This is just so cool!
OK, That is cool and I do agree this needs to be on every flight! I was unable to get internet for 8 hours on my way to Florida, oh, what I would have done to be able to blog for 8 hours.
It is truly incredible the opportunities advanced technology has given us! Did you take the photo of the inside of the plane? I love it - it's a great shot :)
Debi
How we have changed. Now we get to blog. Just a month ago you couldn's listen to your IPod until you hit 10,000 feet. Great that we are moving in the right direction.
Brad - Im actually sad that I didnt travel now. That is awesome to do a seat to seat chat, plus the option for internet while flying. Gives you something to do for 5 hours.
Well, here I am back on the plane again, leaving comments from 36,000 ft in the air. RainCamp was awesome yesterday, now I'm headed for the WCR Meeting in Belmont tomorrow. Gotta run, 2 days of backed up emails and only 5 hours on the plane to get caught up. :-))
BTW - I got some great shots and video of NYC, some really great people, The Day @RainCamp, Inman Connect and more. I Will be posting more later when I get the chance.
Delta has wi fi too. I use their promo code deltatrygogo and it has worked for me the last 3 times I flew. It's a great way to kill time on long flights. Looking forward to hearing about Raincamp!
LOL at the airline signs! Now don't let it go to your head =P And I love the internet on the plane! That is so awesome! I'm just wondering how much more it costs for that service. I "price shop" my airline travels. =/
Brad,
Google is doing a lot of interesting stuff :) specially with the Android Market, I'm a google fan now ! :P
Ray - nothing wrong with that! :-) Hey, where ya been? It's been a long while since we chatted, hope all is going well.
Brad, That is so cool. Having read Mike's comment that Virgin has Wi-Fi all the time, it's just that now it is free (until tomorrow), I wish for a couple of things
1) Virgin services Jacksonville (how's that for a headline?)
2) Wi-Fi should (yes, it's a basic need---not a want!) be available for free on all airlines
Hi Brad..Can you imagine Todd not being able to Blog for 8 Hours..that might be scary:O))
I have never flown Virgin American and now I have a feel for what I am missing!!!
Sir Andersohn ! I still cant believe Virgin did this !! Totally cool indeed !
And again, it was a real pleasure to hang out again at RainCamp ! You have such a great charisma, and just know how to get people motivated !
Cheers my man !
...until the next time :o)
Sheldon
Sheldon - the pleasure and privilege was all mine. Thanks for being a part of our "Blogging Panel" and for hanging out with us at the VIP Luncheon. Your contributions and company are what make the events the most memorable. Looking forward to that next time we meet again my friend. Cheers to you and to a fantastic 2010! :-)
Very cool Brad! I have always wanted to blog on a plane but have never been able to.
Great job Brad. We sure have come a long way in a few years.
Hi Brad! Well, I can't believe that I missed this one--what a fantastic job with customer service Virgin does, huh?! Glad you captured that shot! I guess you'll just have to fly Virgin everywhere you go from now on!
Poor people in the paperback industry!
I always hated having to turn off all electronic devices prior to takeoff. This is a great way to keep passengers occupied, quiet and content....I'll bet the cabin crews love it, too!
Richard Branson & Google have always been leaders & innovators - why am I not surprised that they teamed up on GoGo? The next frontier, Brad is to blog from orbit - which you will soon be able to do, courtesy of...Virgin Galactic. Wonder if Branson & the G-crew will team up on that venture? Something tells me it isn't too far off!
Let me know when you want to visit the facility - I'll be glad to be your area tour guide since I grew up nearby (and will soon be licensed in NM too).
Kent - thanks for the link to Virgin Galactic, and yes, I will be the first to post on AR from outer space! lol~ :-)
With all of the airlines ancillary charges these days, it would be great to offer wifi free!
Marjorie - I totally agree. Fat chance unfortunately.
Sounds like a lot of fun!
THats about the cool-est thing since sliced bread!
Wouldnt it be fun to just BLOG about all the places we blog From....
I think there could be some humour in that!
lol
Brad, this is a cool onboard post. How did you take and insert the photos while on the plane? I am drawing a blank. You would not have taken a camera and cord. What steps and products did you use?
Cheryl - I don't leave home (or go on a plane) without my camera and my iPhone. I shot these pictures using both, emailed the photos to me from my iPhone, connected my camera to my laptop, then uploaded the photos to this post.
Remember, I had 5 hours to kill. lol~ Piece of cake. :-))