Trying to figure out how to occupy your time on flights can be a challenge. Do you bring a book, zone out to your iPod, or just sit there? One way to pass the time while on a long flight is to play online poker. There are eight airlines with a sufficient signal for any sort of online gaming; Air Tran, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, United Airlines, U.S. Airways, and Virgin America.
The price for wireless internet on Air Tran, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, Poker Aviation, U.S. Airways, and Virgin America run from $11 to $49 for wireless internet on your computer depending on the length of your internet use. However, you should be able to at least break even by the time your flight is over.
However, Southwest has an extremely competitive price for wireless connectivity. Depending on the length of your flight you could be paying anywhere from $2 to $12 for your entire flight. If you’re looking for a cost effective way to play poker during your domestic (U.S.) flight Southwest is a great option. In addition to affordable wireless connectivity they also allow you to check up to two (2) bags for free. As this is almost unheard of in the airline industry, Southwest is a great choice for affordable flying.
When playing poker online, especially in an airplane, it’s extremely important to be conscious of a couple of things. You need to keep an eye on the time AND on the battery level of your computer or Smartphone. All the airlines listed here lose wireless capabilities after they drop to 10,000 feet. Make sure that you know how high you are (the captain will let you know when you reach 10,000 feet) and when you’re going to be landing. Being that the average passenger flight travels at close to 600 miles per hour, you will lose connectivity fairly quickly once your plane starts to descend. It is because of this that it is important for you to keep an eye on the time so you know when you’re getting close to landing. It certainly wouldn’t make a lot of sense to start a high stakes game minutes before you start your descent to your destination. If you are using a laptop on a long flight, it’s also important for you to make sure that you have enough battery power to complete the game that you’re playing. You’re investing a lot of money into the game that you’re playing. Losing it all due to technical difficulties could be disastrous.
Online poker is a great way to pass the time and make some money while you’re traveling. Here are just a few more tips to keep in mind if you’re hoping to play on your poker plane flight. Most airlines know roughly 24 hours in advance whether or not the plane you’ll be flying in is Wi-Fi capable. Make sure to check before you make you poker plans. Also make sure to double check that the airline has a sufficient signal for you to play. Happy gaming!