JetBlue to get in-air Wi-Fi before the end of 2012
updated 04:40 pm EDT, Wed September 22, 2010
JetBlue vows to bring Wi-Fi to planes in 2012
JetBlue has become the latest airline company to announce it will bring Wi-Fi to its fleet. The company, which flies across the US, will partner with ViaSat to install hardware that will enable broadband Internet and TV service on its 160 aircraft by the end of 2012. Before this happens, however, the FAA needs to test and approve all the gear.
While JetBlue hasn't revealed what the systems will cost, estimates put it at between $15 and $20 million. Competitors AirTran and Virgin America already offer in-flight Wi-Fi, with Delta and Southwest Airlines expected to bring it to their fleets before JetBlue can launch its service.
What JetBlue will price its service at isn't known either, though competitors offer it for between $5 and $12 per flight, depending on the length of the flight and airline.
