Google’s Gift to Holiday Travelers

Thursday, November 12th, 2009 | Internet

This year, Google has decided to give 47 airports across the United States the gift of free internet.

Google has said that they are giving the gift of internet to “make the holiday travel crunch a little easier and more pleasant.” They go on to say “what better way to do it than with what we know best: the internet?”

Google’s free airport wireless sponsorship is coupled with their latest initiative to provide free internet on Virgin America flights within the United States. The free internet will begin to be supplied on November 10 and will be available until January 15, 2010.

According to FAA estimates, approximately 100 million people will be travelling throughout the United States this holiday season, which means that Google’s internet promotion is going to get a lot of use.

The provided internet will vary according to location, but should not be less than 512 kbps for every individual. In order to provide a frame of reference for this speed, Google says it should be fast enough to comfortably stream YouTube videos.

Because the service will be free, Google is encouraging all free internet users to make a donation through Google Checkout to the charity of their choice in lieu of payment. During the holiday campaign, Google has announced it will be raising money for Engineers Without Borders, the One Economy Corporation and the Climate Savers Computing.

Where will Google’s free internet be available?

Google will be providing complimentary internet in the following airports from November 10, 2009 until January 15, 2010:

• Austin (AUS)
• Baltimore (BWI)
• Billings (BIL)
• Boston (BOS)
• Bozeman (BZN)
• Buffalo, NY (BUF)
• Burbank (BUR)
• Central Wisconsin (CWA)
• Charlotte, NC (CLT)
• Des Moines (DSM)
• El Paso (ELP)
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
• Fort Myers (RSW)
• Greensboro (GSO)
• Houston Hobby (HOU)
• Houston Bush (IAH)
• Indianapolis (IND)
• Jacksonville, FL (JAX)
• Kalamazoo (AZO)
• Las Vegas (LAS)
• Louisville (SDF)
• Madison (MSN)
• Memphis (MEM)
• Miami (MIA)
• Milwaukee (MKE)
• Monterey (MRY)
• Nashville (BNA)
• Newport News (PHF)
• Norfolk (ORF)
• Oklahoma City (OKC)
• Omaha (OMA)
• Orlando (MCO)
• Panama City, FL (PFN)
• Pittsburgh, PA (PIT)
• Portland, ME (PWM)
• Sacramento (SMF)
• San Antonio (SAT)
• San Diego (SAN)
• San Jose (SJC)
• Seattle (SEA)
• South Bend (SBN)
• Spokane (GEG)
• St. Louis (STL)
• State College (SCE)
• Toledo (TOL)
• Traverse City (TVC)
• West Palm Beach (PBI)