JetBlue offer Mail and IM on Flights

Like rivals Virgin America, budget airline JetBlue have their own in-air connectivity solution, in this case using Wi-Fi.

BetaBlue is an on-board Wi-Fi system that will be switched on over altitudes of 10,000 feet. To begin with they are supporting only laptops and the Blackberry, the latter apparently because the Wi-Fi can be switched-on without the cellular front end also being on. The Apple iPhone is specifically excluded, as this does not meet this criterion, and would break FAA regulations.

There are also limitations in terms of services: this is not a "surfing" connection, but rather specifically supports IM via Yahoo Messenger, and mail via Yahoo Mail. The company say that the range of services will be extended in 2008.