From July 1 through September 30, Virgin Airline passengers will be able to check out free Google Chromebooks, the search engine's new cloud-powered laptop, to be used during their flight.
Users can check out the Chromebooks at their departure gate by swiping a credit card, which Virgin says is "for deposit purposes." Virgin is coupling the offer with a complimentary WiFi session during the flight, so users can go online and surf the web--even at 35,000 feet.
"Our goal has always been to use the best in technology to reinvent the travel experience -- and help bring some fun back to flying," Virgin America VP of Marketing Porter Gale said on Thursday, according to a press release. "As another California company known for connecting people in new ways, Google has been a key partner with us from our very first flights in 2007 -- powering the interactive Google maps onboard our Red entertainment platform. We're delighted to team up with Google yet again in a way that keeps our guests entertained and connected -- in both the physical and virtual clouds."
Passengers checking in at Virgin America gates in San Francisco International, Boston's Logan, Chicago O'Hare and Dallas-Fort Worth will see a Google "Chrome Zone," where the Chromebooks can be reserved for flights between SFO and DFW, ORD or BOS.
Google is also teaming up with New York's Ace Hotel, which will offer Virgin Atlantic fliers a complementary Chromebook during their stay at Ace.
Previously, during the 2010 holiday season, Google and Virgin partnered to offer passengers free in-flight WiFi.
