JetBlue Providing WiFi/TV For Other Airlines?
from the helping-the-industry-out dept
Prior to 9/11, there was a lot of effort being put into plans for internet access from airplanes. However, the resulting turmoil in the airline industry put all of those plans on hold. In the end, that may have been a good thing, as the early technology was both expensive and clunky, and only a few generations later are we starting to see technology that is both affordable to install and use showing up. In the last few months, we've seen more and more stories about WiFi in the sky, with the latest one being that Continental is about to start offering live TV and WiFi, similar to a few other airlines. Having just flown on Continental on an excruciatingly long trip to Europe and back, I'd say that having internet access and live TV would have made the flights much more enjoyable.What's really interesting here, though, is that Continental is turning to competitor JetBlue to provide the service. We were among those surprised when JetBlue bought some available spectrum for air-to-ground internet access. Like many, we had suspected that it would go to a service provider that would provide a generic service to any airline that wanted it. But, with JetBlue winning the bid, it opened up questions about whether the company would hoard the opportunity as a differentiator for its own flights. Apparently not. If JetBlue can succeed in outfitting other airlines, it could represent a useful side-business for the company -- even if it diminishes some of JetBlue's own competitive advantage. Of course, given that a new study has suggested that WiFi-in-the-sky really isn't a huge selling point, perhaps this makes sense. Basically, people are saying that it's a nice-to-have rather than a need-to-have. In other words, it's unlikely to bring that much new business directly to JetBlue, but if JetBlue can make it available on lots of other airlines, people would be happy using it.
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Filed Under: airplanes, internet access, wifi
Companies: continental, jetblue
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Just wait
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jetblue
Not to mention that the airline stewards (and stewardesses) are actually friendly too. Oh, and their prices beat anything I can find with any other airline. And they also have legroom and stewardesses over 5'4. They are an airline that definitely has the right things going at least right now.
I can see them getting wi-fi as well, since they already have the regular airplane power adapters in each set, too, so tons of people use laptops on their flights.
Their wifi isn't a huge selling point because they're just making their own superior business more superior. Additionally when you have satellite TV (premium stations might I add, not bogus crap ones - ESPN, CNN, MTV, E!, etc are included) and XM radio, you don't really require internet so much in flight unless it's for business. It'd be like ferrari improving their cars further; brand recognition and history of quality/etc is already there.
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Re: jetblue
Indeed. I'm a huge fan of Jetblue and have traveled on it extensively throughout the US. However, the last few trips with them haven't been nearly as good, as I think they've expanded too quickly, leading to some serious problems -- ESPECIALLY at their JFK hub. At this point, I'm actively trying not to fly JetBlue into JFK until they finish moving into their new terminal. Last time I had to go to their "temporary" gates, which then involved waiting 45 minutes for a van just to get to the main terminal.
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Re: Re: jetblue
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jet blue and wifi
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jet blue is the best
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.....
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Just a stupid thought
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Internet in the Air
I don't know about you, but flights are boring as hell for me, even with their radio.
Being able to browse the web with my laptop while on the flight would be awesome.
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