JetBlue To Get WiFi On Planes In 2012 (POLL)

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From the Associated Press:

NEW YORK — JetBlue said Wednesday it signed a deal to install satellite broadband Internet and TV service on its fleet of 160 planes.

The airline is partnering with telecommunications company ViaSat Inc. to begin installing the service by the end of 2012. The system must be tested and certified by the Federal Aviation Administration before the airline can roll it out on all of its planes.

JetBlue didn't say how much the new system would cost. Airline Wi-Fi expert Michael Planey estimates hardware and infrastructure will cost about $15 to $20 million.

JetBlue currently has TV on its flights but does not offer Wi-Fi.

AirTran and Virgin America already have Wi-Fi on their planes. Delta Air Lines Inc. and Southwest Airlines Co. expect to have fleet-wide Wi-Fi by the time the first JetBlue aircraft has it.

JetBlue's system could eventually allow the airline to keep passengers more informed of changes on the ground, and possibly reroute them while they're still in the air if there are delays or other issues. It also opens the door for more selling opportunities onboard, through a passengers personal TV screen, smartphone or laptop.

So far wireless Internet service on airlines hasn't caught on with a large number of passengers, mostly because of the price, which ranges from $4.95 to $12.95 depending on the airline and length of the flight. Travelers are saving their Web surfing for solid ground, where some airport "hot spots" offer the service free.

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Is in-flight WiFi a blessing or a curse?

A curse. Planes were my one remaining peaceful sanctuary.

A blessing. I get so much done!

A mixed blessing. I get a lot done, but I miss the quiet time.

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Filed by Kate Auletta

Comments

[DMaven]

05:31 PM on 09/25/2010

American is also in the process of rolling out WiFi on their planes. It's curious to hear the airline say they can use this to "...possibly reroute them while they're still in the air if there are delays or other issues." Or did the blogger just make this up? Anyone who looks at a route map can see that if you're connecting on JetBlue, you're obviously flying into JFK or Long Beach. If an event, natural or manmade, causes either airport to be thrown into chaos, there will be no rerouting going on.

[jl4141]

02:22 PM on 09/24/2010

I'm all for it -- why stop useful progress? -- with a caveat: passengers should be required to use headphones or otherwise mute the speakers on their laptops and other electronic devices so as not to unnecessarily disturb their fellow passengers.

[chachachamp]

10:05 AM on 09/23/2010

"...The system must be tested and certified by the Federal Aviation Administration before the airline can roll it out on all of its planes..." En otras palabras (in other words)..

Let's make sure that Wi-Fi access doesn't screw up the pilot's radio and navigation signals. That will be the day when passengers can take over the flight via laptop computer.

Airplanes are becoming airborne radio spectrum receivers from one end of the band to the other.
Ultraviolet radiation, solar radiation, high altitude radiation, electromagnetic radiation, radar, UHF, VHF, LF, GPS, telecommunications, and now WI-FI. Do I get to wear a radiation monitor?

[Neujersey]

11:33 AM on 09/24/2010

You encounter far more radiation standing on a street corner in any city, or being anywhere near electrical transmission lines.

And that radiation monitor you want to wear: the increase due to man-made sources would be nearly undetectable from the natural background radiation.

You've got quite an intimidating lineup of alphabet soup there, but it's nothing to fear.

[mac99FLA]

02:15 AM on 09/23/2010

I love the photo accompanying the article. I'm over 6'4" and unless you're in an exit row (or business/first on other carriers) it is impossible for a lot of people to even open a laptop on a flight without the screen getting crushed. Always seems that the shortest people constantly are the ones reclining seats into what little room there is on planes

[Angelus2007]

05:42 PM on 09/22/2010

I like it, I can now play WoW to make the time of the flight go by faster.

[rougebaisers]

03:53 PM on 09/22/2010

I think most people should be put to sleep for the flight. Quiet. Ahhhhh.

[Hardyman1966]

03:00 PM on 09/22/2010

I'll meet you halfway reluctantly, as I can do very nicely without someone hammering away on a laptop keyboard next to me.

Give the ones who can't/won't disconnect for a few hours their wifi, AS LONG AS you don't give them cell phone use.  Planes are the last place on Earth where you don't have to listen to someone's never-ending and all-important phone call that just can't wait.  

It's #2 behind getting stuck near a screaming kid.

[sheila]

02:34 PM on 09/22/2010

Why would it be a curse if you have boundaries? Just don't buy it if you don't want it. If you allow your technology to enslave you instead of provide more options that YOU control, the terrorists have won (ok, half joking, but seriously, you need to set some boundaries or your life will be miserable).

[KennebunkportIndependent]

11:58 AM on 09/22/2010

Sounds nice, but laptop users know that it is difficult - and in the case of some larger laptops - to balance the computer on the tray or your lap with the top opened enough to see the screen.

While some pay to use  this offering, most won't, and I for one would prefer wifi at every JetBlue departure gate so that any last minute emails or whatever can be done there before boarding the flight.

[ChangingTimes]

11:44 AM on 09/22/2010

A more proper heading should be ... "It's about time" ...

Congrats to JetBlue on FINALLY realizing that Wi-Fi is essential to their business clientele.