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JetBlue Wi-Fi access coming in 2012

By Laura Khalil September 23, 2010

JetBlue — Image used with permission by copyright holder

JetBlue has announced it will be bringing fleet-wide internet access to their planes by the end of 2010.

The airline is partnering with telecommunications company ViaSat Inc. to begin installing the service on its 160 planes.

“This system will be designed for the 21st century, not just for today’s personal connectivity needs, but with the bandwidth to expand to meet tomorrow’s needs as well,” JetBlue Chief Executive Dave Barger said in a statement.

It’s a case of being better late than never for JetBlue. AirTran, Virgin America and US Airways 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.

So far wireless internet service on airlines hasn’t had overwhelming demand largely because of the price, which ranges from $4.95 to $12.95 depending on the airline and length of the flight.

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