JetBlue Launches Free, In-flight E-mail, Messaging Services

Hoping to usher in a long overdue era in travel connectivity, JetBlue Airways and Yahoo, RIM and LiveTV today began providing complimentary in-flight e-mail and instant messaging services on planes it’s equipping with wireless networks.

Claiming it’s the first domestic carrier to provide thee core productivity features, JetBlue said customers using Wi-Fi enabled laptops and smartphones can use custom version of Yahoo Mail and Yahoo Messenger, while those with Wi-Fi enabled Blackberry smartphone can access their corporate networks and personal e-mail.

The news represents a major shift in thinking in a market, where most airlines do not permit connectivity in flight for fear it would interfere with navigation and communications systems.

The move also represents another huge step forward in the race to differentiate from a company that has won wide acclaim for pioneering seat-back TV viewing and free digital satellite radio to entertain passengers in a no-frills industry.

"JetBlue continues to innovate when it comes to the customer experience, from being the first airline to offer every customer their own television with 36 channels of free entertainment, to today's introduction of free in-flight mail and messaging services," said Dave Barger, CEO of JetBlue Airway, in prepared comments.

What remains to be seen is whether JetBlue rivals will follow suit with free or pay services, or whether they will stand pat, greatly limiting passenger productivity, a limitation especially unwelcome during long flights.

LiveTV, is a wholly-owned subsidiary, provides live in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems for commercial airlines. Its FCC-licensed air-to-ground spectrum provides full continental U.S. coverage of Wi-Fi services above 10,000 feet. While e-mail and instant messaging options are available today, additional features that were not specifed, can be expected in the near future on BetaBlue, JetBlue's exclusive trial aircraft as new LiveTV products continue to develop.

JetBlue Airways www.jetblue.com
LiveTV www.livetv.net
Yahoo Inc. www.Yahoo.com

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