JetBlue Launches In-Flight Email

JetBlue is offering email and instant messaging services on an A320 test flight, in a move to equip its whole fleet with wireless access. The tech-savvy, low-budget airline has paired up with Yahoo and Research in Motion to give passengers with laptops or Blackberries the possibility of plugging in, in-flight. But other airlines are jumping on the bandwagon, the Wall Street Journal reports.

While the BetaBlue test plane flies for several months to fine tune the system and get customer feedback, other companies like American Airlines are scouting out their options to bring the Internet onboard. JetBlue wants to keep its services free, but it's unclear whether others will follow suit, and whether the new systems will support heavy traffic; JetBlue plans to limit the apps passengers can use. (More JetBlue stories.)