Flying on the Gogo Boeing 737-500… in First Class

Gogo's 737-500, N321GG a.k.a. the "Jimmy Ray"

Ok, I'll admit that this flight review will be on an aircraft that 99.99% of the public won't ever get the chance to fly, and I do feel badly about that… but it's simply too cool for school to be on a private 737, more so because this particular 737 (a -500 model, reg. no. N321GG) currently has the fastest publicly-available inflight Wi-Fi Internet system in the world.

Gogo invited AirlineReporter and other media outlets to take flight on the "Jimmy Ray" to test out their new 2Ku system, which was debuted for the first time outside the company. While other tech-oriented companions were obsessed with reloading Speedtest and hammering the system with live streams, content streams, live feeds, and downloads, I was busy poking around the cabin features and amenities. Yea… I am an AvGeek.

Operator: Gogo
Aircraft: Boeing 737-5H7 (MSN 26445, Line No. 2327), CFM INTL CFM56-3C1 turbofans
Departed: Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY) 2:05pm (+35 minute delay)
Arrived: Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY) 3:08pm (+45 minutes delay)
Class of Service/Seat: First/3D

On board Gogo's 737: Details; the embossing on the head rest covers.

GOGO 737 FLIGHT: At the airport

Our day would start at Gary/Chicago International Airport in northwest Indiana. Gogo planners had considered using either O'Hare or Midway in Chicago, but decided against those two options because of air traffic not being forgiving or flexible to the fluidity of our itinerary. Aurora, IL, where N321GG is normally based, was also ruled out due to being farther away from Gogo's headquarters, as well as going with rush hour traffic.

The private hanger, before our flight aboard Gogo's 737-500

We arrived by charter bus from Chicago's Loop to GYY and headed into a private terminal/hangar. It was a blustery, cloudy day, the type that gave pause to even the most seasoned flyers… we were in for a rough takeoff/landing. The lot of us had lunch while waiting, and when it finally came time to board the Jimmy Ray many of us (yours truly included) ran through the door and out to the tarmac like kids in a candy store.

I was snapping photos from all sorts of angles, taking a little bit of liberty in straying off the direct path to the airstairs, but not too much (probably due to the TSA-instilled fear we all have). But wait, this was a private flight out of a private terminal – we didn't have anything to worry about! I was giddily taking my time with the glamour shots of N321GG, while almost everyone else boarded. I start walking towards the stairs to join them…

Gogo's 737-500, N321GG a.k.a. the "Jimmy Ray"

GOGO 737 FLIGHT: Boarding… kind of. Ugh

NOT SO FAST. A Gogo rep/handler got my attention from behind and said that we had to go back to the building. I watched as he caught up to each individual to tell them the same thing, then boarded the plane. One by one, everyone got off and did the walk of shame back to the terminal building.

Apparently, the TSA caught wind of our little joyride and requested (read: ordered) Gogo to make us go through the proper screenings before departure. SAY WHAT??? 

The Gogo rep was extremely apologetic, saying that normally they could even drive the bus right up to the plane, board, and take off with no TSA in sight, and he was expecting to have a hassle- and screening-free trip this time around as well. As we stood in line to go through a metal detector that magically appeared (apparently they can be wheeled around), we came up with a list of factors (in no particular order) that may have prompted the TSA on this particular flight to act to protect our national security:

• The number of passengers was higher than usual for this flight;
• While N321GG is based in Aurora, we were technically flying out of an active commercial international airport, even though Gary hasn't had scheduled commercial service since Allegiant left in August 2013;
• There were foreign passport holders among us geeks;
• It is TSA and there isn't always a reason they do what they do.

In true Kabuki-style theatrics, we emptied our pockets, walked through the metal detector, and had our bags opened and searched. I don't recall anyone getting any water confiscated, and those who beeped were simply walked through again after finding more metal on their person… no groping required.

After we were all deemed not likely to be terrorists, we walked back out to the tarmac to continue the day, now delayed by half-an-hour.

On board Gogo's 737: Our flight deck crew on our little jaunt above the great State of Indiana

GOGO 737 FLIGHT: Onboard and inflight

A little bit about the Jimmy Ray: This particular 737-500 first took flight on June 29, 1992 and shortly thereafter started its commercial life with Malaysia Airlines, leased out by GECAS. After passing through Air France and CSA Czech Airlines, this airframe most recently flew with Orenair until it was returned to GECAS in June 2013 and put into storage. Gogo purchased it in January, 2015. N321GG was named after Gogo's original founder.

We boarded through 1R, the door on the right (or starboard) side of the aircraft, where the catering truck normally pulls up to. I was greeted at the top of the airstairs by one of the flight attendants, who politely reminded me to duck because of the lower door height on that side. Even though I was in the middle of the crowd and it was open seating, there was still a free first class seat (on the aisle, to boot), so I shamelessly plopped down settled in.

The cabin has a maximum capacity of 149 seats, but Gogo went with a very low density layout of just 58 seats: 16 seats in first class and 42 in economy, all wrapped in a neutral medium-gray leather with leather headrest covers embossed with the Gogo logo. The seats were very comfortable, upholstered with memory foam. While the cabin retained the original overhead bins from two generations ago, LED mood lighting was added, as well as red vinyl bulkhead coverings, making the interior feel more modern. The unique features of N321GG: the multiple 110V outlets along the cabin wall, as well as dozens of CAT5 cabling running along the sides of the floor, to run all of their computers and equipment during normal flight tests.

On board Gogo's 737: Looking forward from mid-cabin; love the LED lights!

As we were preparing for takeoff, a recording gave us the standard instructions of buckling our seat belts and turning off and stowing our electronic devices, the last bit garnering a chuckle from the crowd. I did get a kick out of receiving a safety demo from our two lovely flight attendants on this flight, complete with safety instruction cards. We also received very nice amenity kits, matching those handed out in most international premium cabins.

Since we were there to sample Gogo's 2Ku service, we all had our handheld devices (laptops were required to be stowed) powered up and connected to Wi-Fi from "gate to gate," including during takeoff and landing.

We were underway in short order, and with no other activity or movement at the airport, we quickly made our way to the runway, turned, and accelerated in one motion. A smaller 737 with few passengers, no cargo, and no luggage takes off like a rocket, and we were airborne in what felt like under ten seconds. As expected, the crosswinds made it a bit rough, but we climbed quickly and had smooth air within five minutes.

As soon as the seatbelt sign went off, a flurry of noise and activity ensued, with everyone reaching for their laptops, cameras, second/third/nth devices, etc. While the focus for most was getting online with as many downloads as possible, I got up and started exploring the cabin itself.

On board Gogo's 737: Looking aft at the coach section

Most of the coach seats had a generous 35-36 inches of pitch, with the exit row offering a virtually infinite amount of leg space. First class featured a canyonesque 48 inches of pitch. The cushions in both classes were ample and firm, while the seat back was supportive. There were also empty areas behind the last row; I posited that they were for tiki bars or a pinball machine during inflight company holiday parties.

In case anyone really regretted eating before our flight, three lavatories were available. Also, the Jimmy Ray retained working galleys fore and aft.

I returned and was offered a beverage of my choice… how often does one get Mountain Dew on a flight anymore?

Our flight was all too short, and before we knew it, we had started to return to GYY. Interestingly, the descent was pretty bumpy until the last 500 feet in altitude, where we found clean air for a smooth landing. A short taxi back to the terminal building, and our little romp among the clouds was over.

What was surprising to me was that Gogo didn't go all out with lavishness and bling on their own 737. Sure, there were a few extra touches here and there, but everything about the cabin setup was about recreating the most accurate commercial flight conditions they could, which should reassure the users, as well as investors, that Gogo takes its research and development seriously. Instead of creating a party bus with wings, they configured a plane that helps them achieve their mission objectives. That said, as an AvGeek, it was quite the thrill to be riding on the "Jimmy Ray."

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