Free WiFi access at New Orleans International

Posted by stephen on February 6, 2008

Louis Armstrong International Airport on Tuesday began offering free WiFi access in its terminal lobbies, gates and dining areas. The airport has invested $400,000 in the new service, covering about 85 percent of the terminal’s main level. So far, the only dead spots are at the airline ticket counters and the baggage claim area.

New Orleans airport is now among many other US airports in offering WiFi access. Many small airports offer the service for free, while most hubs, which are generally larger airports with a significant passenger traffic, charge a fee for wireless service. For example, both Houston Hobby and George Bush International Airport in Houston charge $7.95 per day for WiFi access through Boingo. The Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta charges $7.95 to $10.95 for 24 hours depending on the service provider. Dallas Forth Worth International Airport offers WiFi for $6.95 an hour or $9.95 a day.

Louis Armstrong International is considering charging for the service in the future, but first will measure user demand for the free service to determine if a paid version would generate enough revenue to be worthwhile.