FlyFi in testing
 

The first FlyFi-equipped plane is flying as of this morning. Still going to take a bit of time to get the STC and for real deployments to start, but things are progressing.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BNhrDMMCEAAf3Xj.jpg:medium

https://twitter.com/Jazzap/status/34...296704/photo/1

Not sure I want to get on an airplane that says EXPERIMENTAL on the outside!

Do we know which a/c this is?

N804JB

Initial test flights are complete. Now to await the FAA and the issuance of the STC so the kit is legal on flights with passengers. Figure 30-60 days at a minimum for that to happen.

Does this get United's DTV-eqipped 73s and 75s closer to wifi functionality? Or is more paperwork required...

From what I've heard, in order for the wifi to be installed a bigger satellite dish needs to be installed where the current dish is installed. So unless UA wants to pop for new dish installations I don't think they will be getting Vistasat Broadband Internet.

There will almost certainly be additional STCs required for the UA planes as they are different types than the A320 getting the kit right now. But, yes, it gets them closer.

UA has already committed (twice) to the LiveTV solution for in-flight internet and they will be upgrading their planes once the option is available. It is a larger radome to handle both the Ka and Ku band communications and it will require some work to make it happen, but UA is going to do it.

I figured you'd chime in with the correct information! Thanks for the information and correction.

Nifty video in this post showing the radome installation process: http://blog.jetblue.com/index.php/20...fly-fi-update/.

Not to hijack the thread, but is this the reason UA has held off on DTV installations--perhaps waiting for the new/proven radome?

Either way, glad to see this tech progressing. Like UA, but JetBlue's a pretty awesome airline. Wi-Fi capability on their planes means I'll fly them even more.

Fly-Fi time-lapse video

Here is a video of the installation that was completed in MCO

LiveTv was just approved for the STC for the Fly-Fi. We will begin installing almost immediately. I'm not able to get on the network to see the plans but will post when I get a chance to.

Fly-Fi Approved for JetBlue and LiveTv

Awesome news! I can't wait to use Fly-Fi. I won't have any problem at all. What about free 30-days trials?

This was the last major regulatory issue for JetBlue in advance of getting the system online and functional. They expect to have "several" planes active by EoY and all ~130 A320s in about 18 months, a timeline they acknowledge as aggressive. Should be fun to watch.

And don't forget that they've promised it will be free at least until the first 30 planes are live.