Smartphone users traveling on Alaska Airlines will soon have an added benefit. During the months of August and September, any passenger with a Wi-Fi enabled smartphone will be able to access the airline’s inflight wireless system for free. The promotion also is available to those passengers who rent one of the airline’s digital media players.

“Whether you’re a business traveler needing access to e-mail or just can’t wait to check Facebook, free access to the Internet is a huge benefit,” said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of marketing.

The promotion is being sponsored by the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card.

In June, the airline expanded its inflight Wi-Fi system to include systems on almost all of its fleet. At the time, the airline also unveiled a promotion giving passengers access to Facebook for free for the month of June.

The inflight Wi-Fi system is provided through Gogo Internet, which still plans to charge for those accessing the Internet on laptops or tablet computers. Prices for inflight Wi-Fi start at $4.95 and vary depending on the length of the flight.

Previously on GeekWire: How smartphones, tablets are killing Wi-Fi on city transit

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