JetBlue Wifi

Coming soon to a JetBlue plane near you: WiFi. And not just any old WiFi, but "the industry’s best in-flight broadband for commercial aviation," JetBlue promises.

The airline announced that it will partner with ViaSat to create in-flight broadband using satellite technology. That’s a huge departure from other airlines, which offer Internet access through ground hookups.

And that’s why it’s going to be a while before JetBlue customers can take advantage of the new perk. The system first has to be tested and then certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. JetBlue and ViaSat expect to begin rollout on the fleet’s more than 160 planes by mid-2012. It’s unclear how long it will take to complete — or how much customers will have to pay for the access. LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue that handles the airline’s in-flight entertainment, will install the new system and lead the certification process.

JetBlue has tested WiFi in the past, providing what it called BetaBlue on one of its flights. But even the airline admits that the connection was limited.

With the expanded broadband, passengers will be able to e-mail, watch videos and much more. "It will probably feel much like what you have at home," said airline spokesman Mateo Lleras in a phone interview.

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