JetBlue becomes the first carrier to offer high-speed connectivity at 35,000 feet. And it's free.The day has arrived—finally. That day, of course, is the day you knew was coming all along—the day you'd be able to log on and stay connected at 35,000 feet. JetBlue, in its usual one-step-ahead-of-the-rest mode became the first domestic air carrier to offer in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity when it launched its prototype "BetaBlue" aircraft on a New York to San Francisco flight in December.
BetaBlue is an Airbus 320 equipped with a Wireless network, through a partnership with Yahoo!, Research In Motion and LiveTV. For now, the service is limited to just one aircraft, but JetBlue says it will begin rolling out the service fleetwide by the end of the year.
So, the carrier that offers free live DirectTV on all its flights soon will be doing the same with its Wi-Fi service.
"JetBlue continues to innovate when it comes to the customer experience," says Dave Barger, CEO of JetBlue Airways. "We are thrilled to be the first to offer in-flight connectivity to today's domestic flier, keeping our customers connected in the air by providing unique, simple, free Wi-Fi services."
But there are some limitations to what travelers will be able to do at 35,000 feet. For the time being, bandwidth limitations mean fliers only will be able to access instant messaging and e-mail, not the Web for general browsing. They'll also be required to use customized versions of Yahoo! Mail and Yahoo! Messenger. Bandwidth limitations also prohibit uploading or sending attachments. JetBlue says those features—as well as full Web browsing—will be coming onboard in the near future.
Meanwhile, those with Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerry smart phones—the 8820 and the Curve 8320—can access e-mail, but the cellular calls will not permitted during the flight. And since the service only works at above 10,000 feet, passengers will not be able to access the network from the tarmac, and passengers still have to shut down all electronics during takeoff and landing.
Don't fly JetBlue? American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Virgin America all are working on wireless plans for 2008.
But before connectivity-crazed consultants celebrate in-air wireless too much, just remember that the old "on a plane and unreachable" excuse won't fly anymore. I guess you won't get around to reading War and Peace after all.
TSA Program: E-Z Pass for AirportsYou can see the gate just up ahead, but it might as well be miles away. Twenty-five minutes to take-off and you're still shoeless and waiting in line holding your PDA, cell phone, watch and laptop in a gray, plastic bin.
It's enough to driver any frequent flier over the edge. There's got to be a better way. Good news—there is. The Transportation Security Administration's Registered Traveler program is a year old and starting to gain some momentum with the weariest of road warriors. Clear, the leading vendor of the TSA's program, promises less than a four-minute wait at security lines at some of the busiest airports in the U.S., including San Francisco, Denver, Orlando and all New York City-area airports. And more airports are waiting in the wings. (For a full list of current and future airports, visit www.flyclear.com.)
Interested? Of course you are. You'll have to pass a complete background check, including fingerprinting and iris scans, and fork over a $100 annual fee. But it'll all be worth it the first time you sail through security like an airport VIP.
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