That's an increasingly likely scenario as the domestic airlines scramble to find value-added features for their dreary and uncomfortable coach product - especially features that bring in more revenue. Onboard wireless Internet access is the new hot feature. All you need to use it is a computer or handheld device with Wi-Fi capability, plus a few bucks for the service. About the only online service you can't get - yet - is VOIP telephone service.

So far, Aircell's Gogo system is the only Wi-Fi service available to U.S. airlines. The system, like cellular phone service, depends on a nationwide network of ground stations, each with a limited coverage area. According to Gogo, virtually all of the continental United States is covered, as is a border area of Canada in the Detroit-Windsor-Montreal corridor and border areas of Mexico. The technology does not permit use on intercontinental over-ocean flights.

Standard Gogo pricing depends on the length of your flight. For full service on laptops, the rates are $5.95 for up to 1 1/2 hours, $9.95 for 1 1/2 to three hours, and $12.95 for flights longer than three hours. For use limited to handheld devices, the rate is $7.95 for flights of more than 1 1/2 hours. Alternately, you can buy multiflight passes on AirTran or Delta at $12.95 for 24 hours or, on those lines plus Virgin America, $49.95 for 30 days. Some airlines may elect to provide Gogo service free to premium customers or offer modified rate plans.

To date, six domestic U.S. lines have signed up for the service:

-- AirTran has installed Wi-Fi on all its planes. However, the line's planes do not have power outlets, so travelers on longer flights should schlep extra battery packs.

-- American has installed Gogo on all 767-200 flights (mainly used for Flagship transcontinental services) and select MD80s, with installation on the line's 737s coming soon. American's planes typically provide power points at every premium-class seat, but coach travelers will have to share power with a handful of others. American's Web site and SeatGuru.com provide seating charts that show seats with power.

-- Delta says that as of mid-July, 205 of its planes (about two-thirds of the pre-merger fleet) have Wi-Fi, with the remainder scheduled for completion by the end of the year. Delta will install Wi-Fi on ex-Northwest planes by next summer. Delta's Web site lists specific planes that have Wi-Fi installed, including all MD88s, MD90s and some other ex-Delta models. Power connections for 110 volts are available on all business- and first-class seats on domestic 737, 767-300 and transcendental 757s; DC power points are available in first and business class on 767-400s.

-- Virgin America offers Gogo on all flights. Each three-seat set has two power points, so most travelers should have no problem keeping online, even on long flights.

-- United and US Airways are a bit late to the game. United plans to add Gogo to its P.S. transcons from New York to Los Angeles and San Francisco by this fall, and US Airways will equip its A321s by the end of next year.

Aircell says that Air Canada will add the service soon. Presumably, that means after Aircell has added necessary ground stations in Canada.

Given the miseries of coach travel, my guess is that onboard Wi-Fi will prove extremely popular - so much so that Alaska, Continental, Frontier and Southwest have to be looking hard at adding the service.

Wi-Fi would also be welcome on long overseas flights, but overseas access depends on satellite service, which so far has not met with much success. However, once hooked on domestic flights, many travelers will demand it overseas, too. Stay tuned.

E-mail comments to travel@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page M - 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle