Hands-on with BetaBlue, JetBlue's WiFi-equipped Airbus

Generally we're the type to pass out the second we've stowed our carry-on items safely in the overhead bin, but on a recent test flight for a gang of reporters, photographers, Fortune 500 execs, and the obligatory PR team, JetBlue managed to keep us awake by magically letting us communicate with our friends and colleagues on the ground over IM and email.

Actually, it takes a lot more than magic for the Airbus A320 named "BetaBlue" to bring limited WiFi connectivity to properly-equipped passengers throughout the single-class cabin: quite a bit of technical and administrative work went into getting this service off the ground, from snatching up and deploying a rare slice of 800MHz ground-to-air spectrum to effectively managing cell tower connections while traveling over 500mph to developing clients that would maximize the precious bandwidth being shared by so many mobile gadget lovers. Keep reading after the break for all of our impressions from this media preview voyage, and don't forget to hit up the gallery below for glimpses of the entire experience along with some of the screenshots you can expect to see in-flight...

Gallery: Hands-on with BetaBlue, JetBlue's WiFi-equipped Airbus

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With a number of DirecTV and XM stations available from every armrest, JetBlue is already one of the more progressive airlines when it comes to whiling away those boring hours en route to your destination, so the newly-available IM and email access will certainly appeal to people already fond of the airline's perks. It remains to be seen, however, whether this prime example of a walled garden will drive enough interest to warrant the cost of a fleet-wide rollout.

After an opening pep talk by founder and chairman David Neeleman (who's much more handsome in person than he appears above) once the plane had reached 10,000 feet, LiveTV techs turned on the switch, and we all eagerly booted up our devices to discover...nothing was working. Although we could connect to the unsecured network and navigate to the Yahoo! landing pages -- which are cached locally -- we were unable to either get our mail or our chat on. Much confusion ensued among the frightened journos, but after about 20 minutes, a simple Ctl-Alt-Delete on some server was all it took to initiate a fairly steady connection to ground-based towers.

We say fairly steady to highlight one of the main drawbacks of the system, which is the fact that the airplane can't help but hitting a number of dead spots as it orchestrates hand-offs between towers; down times are said to be around a minute or less, which isn't huge for non-streaming applications, though it's still somewhat irksome to be chatting in Messenger and have to drop off an average of ten times per cross-country flight.

Once we were signed in to our Yahoo accounts (which you'll need to have before you board the plane; we didn't notice any options to create one in the air) in Firefox, the page almost immediately switched to either a simple mail interface or more full-featured, Flash-based IM client with tabs, buddy lists, and all the fixin's. We successfully chatted with several people on the ground, and were even able to send and receive text messages, a feature which is sure to appeal to even non-business travelers. Once the service goes live, chatters in the air will have the option of selecting from such clever status notices as "Flying High with BetaBlue," ensuring that everyone can see how techie they are.

BlackBerry-based connectivity was equally flawless, with familiar icons guiding users to the new features when connected to a BetaBlue access point. Unfortunately, we were not able to get past the landing screen when trying to connect on our HTC TyTN II running WinMo 6, and we're pretty sure that we had the latest version of Flash installed, too. Presumably, though, even non-traditional computing devices such as an Archos 605 WiFi with browser plug-in should be able to take advantage of the network. And as long as you're signed in to Messenger, your Buddies on the ground can track your flight visually through Yahoo Maps .

Ultimately the utility of this service comes down to one's own particular mindset, it would seem: those folks who just want to stay connected at any cost will find this to be a great perk that isn't available anywhere else, while anyone expecting an open pipe or even broadband speeds is likely to be severely disappointed. When and if JetBlue begins adding more local multimedia content and opening up its network to other service providers, however, BetaBlue could eventually force other domestic carriers to finally get with the times and stop ruining our otherwise ubiquitous connections to the Grid.

[Azayzel @ Dec 11th 2007 8:53AM]

Cool idea, though if you can't wait an hour or two to receive an email then you aren't managing your time or company very well. Logistically speaking, it shouldn't be too difficult to implement this so I'm not overly impressed with the hype.

[Matt @ Dec 11th 2007 12:34PM]

Azayezel,

Hey Mr. Know it all, it isn't that people "can't" wait two hours to get an email. Its that people who have road jobs would sometimes rather get work done then just sit and waste time on the plane. The ability to send and recieve email would be very helpful.

And to the not hard to implement comment- You are an idiot.

[sublicon @ Dec 11th 2007 6:09PM]

Well, maybe when you become a big boy, you'll go on big boy trips that last more than "an hour or two" and you'll see what all the hype is about! :)

[BowserUSC @ Dec 12th 2007 3:36AM]

Agreed. I'm shocked you don't realize that cross country flights last around 6 hours. That can be an entire days work for a lot of people.

[Shaun @ Dec 11th 2007 9:06AM]

Any word on iPhone connectivity? Are incoming phone calls magically disabled? I'm ignorant to these types of things...

Thanks!

[tony @ Dec 12th 2007 4:31PM]

You're not new to this kind of stuff, you're just a dumb Iphone user...

[Shaun @ Dec 12th 2007 6:18PM]

Settle down there buddy. Trust me. I'm just asking a simple question.

[Pavan @ Dec 12th 2007 7:15PM]

iPhones will not be usable. The service is only usable on mobile devices that have individual on/off controls for the wifi and for the cell portion. With the iPhone, it's all or nothing, so B6 won't be allowing them.

[Shaun @ Dec 12th 2007 7:40PM]

Sucks for me...but thanks for clearing that up!

[BHSPitMonkey @ Dec 14th 2007 12:40AM]

If you've jailbroken it, you can turn off the individual wireless components with the Services or iToggle apps.

[Tommy @ Dec 11th 2007 9:08AM]

I thought the FAA made everybody turn off portable electronic devices because they would interfere with critical radio coms... At least that's been their stance on the subject until recently. Does this mean they'll remove the restrictions on all flights, or just flights with wifi equipped planes?

[rock99rock @ Dec 11th 2007 9:39AM]

All electronic devices, with exception to fm radios and cellphones (although flight mode is permitted) are allowed to be turned on at 10,000 feet or higher.

[JuggleNuts @ Dec 11th 2007 11:55AM]

The whole "interference" thing is a lame excuse to keep everyone from yapping on their talk sticks for the entire flight. There was some talk a year ago about changing that rule, and it was entirely a passenger-comfort issue, not a technical/safety concern.

[The Chungar @ Dec 11th 2007 1:30PM]

Actually, the FAA would have to certify every make and model of cellphone for safe use on an airplane. The planes are heavily shielded and the threat from a phone is almost nil, but I don't think anyone wants to be on the one plane that flies into outer space because of interference.
If you are willing to pay double for a plane ticket to subsidize the cert effort, then by all means start bitching.

[Sam @ Dec 11th 2007 3:09PM]

I think its actually a FCC rule, not an FAA rule (for cellphones anyway)

[NZ~Miles @ Dec 20th 2007 8:27PM]

It may not be a particularily reliable source but Mythbusters did some interference tests with various types of radio signals and couldn't get any interference with a couple of planes they tried. They insulate the hell out of the cables they use on planes because they're such a vital part of the system

[VP @ Dec 11th 2007 9:32AM]

Kind of off topic but, can we just get Jetblue & Southwest here in Atlanta already? We are stuck with peanuts & coke while the rest of the country gets wifi.

[rock99rock @ Dec 11th 2007 9:40AM]

Delta blows. Comfortable seats... but no Dr. Pepper :)

[JAmerican @ Dec 11th 2007 5:46PM]

Just used Delta the first time and they had a delay on both my round-trip flights. The only reason I am using them again is because I got a $200 Voucher.

[Pavan @ Dec 12th 2007 7:20PM]

jetBlue was in ATL but they pulled out quicker than a business man sleeping with a hooker when his wife walks in. Not getting too technical but their business model doesn't go hand in hand with the delays at ATL (not that JFK is much better anymore, but the higher yields make up for that). Also, many many people in ATL are SkyMiles whores; when jetBlue came in, they decided to fly on Delta anyways since Delta matched the prices with Song, so jetBlue left, and Delta made fares go up again. As far as Southwest....AirTran flies there already so too much low-fare competition, plus they like to turn planes asap. By the way, if you haven't used Airtran yet, they're great...they get the job done, nice people, no bs, and it's cheap to upgrade to business class (like $35 cheap). Also, if you're under 23, the walkup fare is only $69 (ask them for xFares). Sorry if this sounds like an ad for Airtran, I don't work for them, just a really happy flier!

[Todd @ Dec 17th 2007 7:58AM]

Only American Airlines and Virgin America are going to offer true wifi/broadband. Southwest isn't going to have it. If you want cheap tickets, well, you might not get real wifi with internet access.

[SHopkins @ Dec 20th 2007 4:05PM]

I'm not sure how you can say yields are higher at JFK... ATL Hartsfield Jackson is worlds busiest airport both in terms of passenger traffic and takeoffs & landings. The delays are also MUCH worse at JFK which, even on a perfectly clear day, can often have taxi times up to 2 hours. I can't count on fingers how many times I've heard "we're 10th (or higher) in line for takeoff" at JFK. JFK's infrastructure and inability to support growth while being a major hub for several airlines make it the most heavily delayed airport in the US... much more so than ATL.

Song along with AirTran's growth have more to do with JetBlue staying out of ATL. AirTran received a surge right about the time Song was folded back into mainline Delta and that's kept both JetBlue and Southwest out of ATL. Nearby second and third tier airports like Birmingham (Southwest, ExpressJet) and Chattanooga (SkyBus, Allegiant) leave no other airports near ATL for JetBlue to expand into.

[Andir3.0 @ Dec 11th 2007 9:40AM]

"a simple Ctl-Alt-Delete on some server"

They logged in? How do we know they were running Windows Server?

[FinalStar @ Dec 11th 2007 10:29AM]

I know Virgin America has WiFi on it, you can connect to it, but there are access points on the plane. Wonder if they are going to follow with this idea

[Pavan @ Dec 12th 2007 7:24PM]

Look for full/real inet access in Q2 of 2008. Right now all their credit card transactions are done live through the EvDo network (other airlines were having problems with people buying a ton of stuff with canceled credit cards, since they submit the transactions at the end of the flight/day. The VX planes also have some Cat5 ports for those few few people without wifi, and the best part, 120v 60hz regular power outlets at every seat.

[mschatterbox4 @ Dec 14th 2007 3:06AM]

I just flew Virgin America over the Thanksgiving holiday and it does not yet have this feature activated on their planes...it won't go into effect until sometime in 2008.

[w @ Dec 11th 2007 10:18AM]

not funny, jerk.

[Bruce @ Dec 11th 2007 11:28PM]

What the hell happened to the terrorist joke sending a email to his boy at aljazerra.net? And what the hell happened to my comment on saying "everyone here is thinking the same thing?"

[Rik @ Dec 11th 2007 10:20AM]

Hehe, lol!

[Jeremy K. @ Dec 11th 2007 10:22AM]

So let me get this straight... you can only use Yahoo mail, messenger and maps? ug...

[eric f. @ Dec 11th 2007 10:27AM]

Evan, does the Blackberry pictured have a setting where it's cellphone functionality is turned off but it's wifi still works?

[Evan Blass @ Dec 11th 2007 11:11AM]

It's a Curve 8320, and I'd imagine that it does, although I didn't give it a very thorough testing.

[Jesse @ Dec 11th 2007 11:40AM]

I own that model, and yes, you can select which radio services you want.

[Kelmon @ Dec 11th 2007 10:43AM]

I look forwards to the day when I can play World of Warcraft (or whatever title in the future that just seems to make time fly by) when traveling long distance. I'm frequently amazed how much time can pass in a seemingly short period when playing WoW so it seems a perfect match for an experience that I generally can't wait to end. If they can couple this with comfortable seats as well then that would be nice but probably hoping for too much...

[alex @ Dec 11th 2007 10:44AM]

"those folks who just want to stay connected at any cost"

Which begs the question, just how much will it cost?? I don't get it? I'm glad that it (somewhat) works and all, but how are you in the company of the founder and chairman of JetBlue and NOT ask the most basic question of this service? Will it cost similar to the in plane phone that cost an arm and a leg? Seem like an obvious question to ask but I guess you were too overwhelmed and dazzled by this connectivity.

[tester @ Dec 11th 2007 11:13AM]

As mentioned in the announcement post several days back -- which is linked in the first paragraph -- the service is free, although currently available on only one plane.

[Bruce @ Dec 11th 2007 10:44AM]

LOL! I was sooooo thinking the same thing!!!! (and like 50% of all the other readers, reading this post)

[Bruce @ Dec 11th 2007 10:50AM]

THAT'S THE NEXT THING I WAS THINKING! (Prior to my laughing at that guys terrorist joke) Seriously though! I sooooo wanna play DOTA (Warcraft 3) on the plane. I would be at my destination before I would even know it! They need to make this shit free and fast and reliable. There's nothing worse than being in a straight pawn fest and you get the dreaded in game screen saying "Game is no longer available, you have been disconnected." That type of shit will make you wanna slap the flight attendent. (Not that I ever would, cause I know I'll be shot up by some undercover air marshall)

[templar @ Dec 11th 2007 11:00AM]

who needs email when you can just use instant messaging?

[Lord John Whorfin @ Dec 11th 2007 11:14AM]

Screw JetBlue, Neeleeman is a devout mormon and as a result JetBlue is quite politically active, particularly in anti-gay areas. Good thing Virgin America is quickly coming up as a non-political alternative. And unlike JetBlue's, VA's internet will not suck. Long live Virgin America, and Neeleeman: suck my balls.

[Sir Pancakes @ Dec 11th 2007 12:44PM]

What evidnece do you have of JetBlue being politically active? Its easy to blanket statement them like that. But wheres the proof? Mormon doesn't equal gay hater.

[Pavan @ Dec 12th 2007 7:39PM]

You know...a week ago, I would have bashed you for bashing jBlu...but after they turned my MCO-JFK-RIC flight into MCO-JFK followed by BOS-RIC (as in I'd have to somehow find my own way from JFK to BOS) due to a flight being rescheduled, and them saying that all they can do is refund my ticket (I bought it 2 months in advance, and thank god Southwest flies from MCO to Norfolk or that last minute ticket would have been $Rape.99), along with a ton of other things they've been doing that I keep convincing myself to overlook, I agree, ScrewBlue and their stupid "jetBlue isn't the only way to fly...but it should be" business (more like "jetBlue isn't the only way to spend 3 hours delayed at JFK, but it should be").

[Nick @ Dec 11th 2007 11:34AM]

For the 10th time to-the-nth-power, anyone who thinks that wifi on an airplane is going to be able to support online gaming (at least real-time, low latency gaming like most MMORPG's) or VoiP truly doesn't understand the technology.

Commercial aircraft internet would more than support instant messaging, email, and internet browsing, but with the technology that exists the latency would be TERRIBLE, probably upwards of 1000ms or greater, leaving it worthless for any real-time application.

For you WoW'ers, you know that playing WoW with a latency of 450ms or higher blows, and at anything over 300ms your instant-cast spells aren't so instant.

The good news is that we won't have to worry about 15-yo girls dragging their laptops onto the flight to skype their friends non-stop in the seat right behind you.

The bad news is that we won't be playing WoW or EVE during our flights anytime soon.

LAN gaming INSIDE the aircraft wouldn't be out of the question though.....

>jump to Scrubs-type imagination flash<

Stands and turns to the rest of coach...."does anyone else have a gaming laptop and FEAR or CRYSIS installed? You do sir? I could crush you. Oh yeah? I'll believe it when you frag it motha-f****. Oh, it's on now." Sits down and gets owned in the face in MP.

[TRLK @ Dec 11th 2007 12:31PM]

WiFi on planes have been around for some time with Connexion by Boeing... you pay for a few hours or for the whole flight..
however, it was my understanding that connexion was abandoned because of lack of demand (and price) which, to me, was quite suprising... i can't imagine why there wouldn't be demand for internet on air, makes flying such a breeze.. especially for flights lasting 4 hours+

[Pavan @ Dec 12th 2007 7:26PM]

It was via satellite and slow as hell...and $30 a flight = FAIL

[Fernando @ Dec 11th 2007 12:00PM]

Can I play Doom on it?=P

[Pavan @ Dec 12th 2007 7:27PM]

No...but RED, the IFE on Virgin America can and does play Doom!

[zebcarlson2007 @ Dec 11th 2007 11:57AM]

Did this post move??

[Chirag @ Dec 11th 2007 12:47PM]

OOH GAWDD!! GIMME A BREAK FROM MY CELLPHONE! IT FOLLOWS ME EVERYWHERE!! WHAT I WOULD GIVE FOR A MOMENT'S PEACE FROM RINGING CELLPHONES, "POKING" FRIENDS, UPDATED FEEDS AND BLOGS!

I WISH I HAD A PRIVATE ISLAND WHERE I COULD GO ONCE IN A WHILE THAT HAD NO INTERNET OR CELLPHONES... OH YES I DO HAVE THAT LUXURY OF PEACE..IN A FLIGHT!!!......... OOPS... NOT ANY MORE!!

BTW WHY DONT I JUST TURN OFF THESE GADGETS? BECAUSE I CANNNTTTTT!!!!!

[Chirag @ Dec 11th 2007 1:01PM]

WHY THIS SUCKS:

1. YOU CANNOT STREAM MUSIC, PHOTOS AND VIDEOS FROM YOUR HOME COMPUTER
2. YOU CANNOT PLAY MMORPG GAMES - WARCRAFT ETC
3. THERE IS NO WIRED CONNECTION IF YOU DECIDE TO TAKE YOUR DESKTOP WITH YOU
4. IT IS USELESS EVEN FOR WIFI ENABLED MACHINES LIKE PS3 BECAUSE THERE IS NO HDMI CONNECTIVITY TO THE SCREENS IN THE BACK OF THE SEATS
5. DOWNLOADS AND UPLOADS TO TORRENTS AND P2Ps SUCK. WHY CANT I DOWNLOAD UBUNTU OR BOURNE ULTIMATUM WHEN IN FLIGHT?
6. TRY CONNECTING YOUR ZUNE TO YOUR HOME PC TO CONNECT YOU TO YOUR XBOX 360 ON YOUR HOME NETWORK TO ACCESS MUSIC STORED ON YOUR PSP (USB MODE) TO YOUR XBOX 360. LET ME TELL YOU... DOESNT WORK!!!

CONCLUSION: BS! BETABLUE IS BS!