2 months of free WiFi at American airports

Google is powering up free WiFi in 47 American airports from now until 15 January 2010. The only 'drawback' is that search is locked into Google. A small 'price' to pay for getting online quickly and for free while traveling.

A number of hugely traveled airports aren't included here, those being mostly the New York airports, O'Hare in Chicago, Los Angeles, or Dallas/Ft. Worth. Most likely because they're locked into expensive and proprietary contracts with other providers. I've seen 1 hour of WiFi cost over $10 in some airports, so those providers are probably quite upset about this blatantly commercial play for WiFi marketshare.

If free WiFi is your thing, Virgin America Airlines will be giving away WiFi on their flights from now to 15 January 2010 as well. It's a pretty good reason to try the airline if you haven't yet.

Google will be underwriting free-of-charge wi-fi in the following 47 U.S. airports:

• Austin (AUS)
• Baltimore (BWI)
• Billings (BIL)
• Boston (BOS)
• Bozeman (BZN)
• Buffalo (BUF)
• Burbank (BUR)
• Central Wisconsin (CWA)
• Charlotte (CLT)
• Des Moines (DSM)
• El Paso (ELP)
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
• Fort Myers/SW (RSW)
• Greensboro (GSO)
• Houston (HOU)
• Houston Bush (IAH)    
• Indianapolis (IND)
• Jacksonville (JIA)
• 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 (PFN)
• Pittsburgh (PIT)
• Portland (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)

In brilliant news for everyday travelers, Seattle and Burbank airports will be continuing the free WiFi program after January. And some day, WiFi will be free and everywhere just like we have roads taking us places in the real world.

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