ViaSat And JetBlue Airways To Bring Ka-Band High-Speed Internet To Flights

We have been able to get internet service in the air on flights on most major airlines for years now. The ability to get online at 30,000 feet closed one of the few remaining holes where travelers weren't able to gain access to the internet. JetBlue and ViaSat have announced an agreement that will bring faster web access to passengers.

The agreement will see passengers on JetBlue flights get access to the ViaSat Ka-band satellite technology that allows for more bandwidth and faster speeds than existing in-flight internet access providers. The agreement between the companies is worth about $30 million.

It will see Ka-band terminals installed into the JetBlue fleet hat has 170 aircraft. ViaSat will install the broadband terminals into the Airbus A320 aircraft that JetBlue operates as well as the Embraer E190 jets. JetBlue will be the first to get the Ka-band service and installation in aircraft is expected to start in 2012.