| January, 2008 |  |
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Test Drive: JetBlue's new e-mail system
Another guest file from USA TODAY's Roger Yu:
I was one of several reporters invited to JetBlue's test flight Wednesday for the introduction of its limited in-flight Wi-Fi service.
The flight gave the reporters an opportunity to try out the service, which lets passengers e-mail and send instant messages using Blackberry and laptops. Using a Blackberry provided by RIM on-board, I first tried sending e-mails to my colleagues at USA TODAY. The device confirmed that the e-mails had been sent, but my colleagues told me later that they never received them.
I then turned to my laptop, which immediately found the Wi-Fi signal on-board. Once I launched my Firefox browser, the system asked me to choose between two applications - Yahoo e-mail or Yahoo instant messenger, the only e-mail software that JetBlue's system currently accommodates.
SkyjbxlargeI tried the messenger first, and sent text messages to a few of my contacts that were signed on. They received my messages right away. One cool feature Yahoo added lets you click on an icon next to your name that alerts your contacts that you're flying at the moment. Your contacts can click on Yahoo Map to see where your plane is currently flying.
Yahoo e-mail didn't work as well. I clicked on "Compose" to send new messages, but it never let me download the page. Clicking on my "Address Book" also didn't work. The only function that worked was the "Reply" function, which meant I was able to send e-mails to folks who were already in my Inbox. When I tried to reply, it also wouldn't let me add new "CC" or "BCC" contacts.
Yahoo executives told me that they were aware of some of the shortcomings and that they will fix them in the future. JetBlue is also aware that there may be some glitches, prompting the carrier to name the sole Airbus A320 equipped with the service "BetaBlue."
Also, note that JetBlue passengers will not be able to pick and choose when they can fly the aircraft that has the service. The aircraft can show up in any of its domestic routes. JetBlue is not saying when it will provide it to the rest of its fleet.
More in-flight Internet news
In response to Jetblue's announcement Thursday that it's launching an in-flight e-mail/instant messaging service on Dec. 11, American Airlines is reminding reporters that it too is on track to offer similar services. Earlier this year, the Fort Worth-based carrier said it has an agreement with Colorado-based Aircell to begin testing full-fledged, in-flight Internet early next year on its 767-200 aircraft. "We want to be sure to provide you with a distinction between the service JetBlue plans to offer and the service American will offer next year," the carrier said a statement released Thursday afternoon. "The Aircell solution will provide passengers with a cable or DSL-like Internet connection, VPN access, as well as e-mail capabilities through all Wi-Fi-enabled laptops and PDA devices. Aircell's in-flight internet service will be available to all email and IM accounts," it said. Unlike JetBlue, American Airlines will charge extra for the service, but the carrier has yet to reveal its pricing plan.
American Airlines has also invited reporters to its Kansas City maintenance center to observe the system installation in its aircraft, but it's not yet ready for a media test flight.
Like JetBlue's system, Aircell is also using air-to-ground technology, which transmits data to and from an aircraft antenna to cell towers on the ground. This means passengers can surf the Web only when the aircraft is flying over land. Alaska Airlines is working with a California-based technology firm, Row 44, to begin testing a satellite-based system next year. It'll need the satellites since it flies often to Alaska from the continental USA. Most foreign carriers that are working on this are also testing satellite-based systems.
Iowa Airport SUX
The 3-letter code for the airport in Sioux City, Iowa, is SUX. Har. Airport authorities have been fighting for years to get it changed to something that does not suck, but they have recently decided to embrace the name, using flysux.com as their website and printing t-shirts and hats with the name on it.
But really, the best part of this story is that the FAA offered them 5 other choices that the airport turned down. The best of those 5? GAY. Now THAT sux.
| January, 2008 | |
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