FlyFi in testing
Jun 24, 2013 | 6:53 am
#1
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
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://twitter.com/Jazzap/status/34...296704/photo/1
https://twitter.com/Jazzap/status/34...296704/photo/1
Jun 27, 2013 | 8:12 pm
#5
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
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.
Jul 7, 2013 | 8:08 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat Pro, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 848
Does this get United's DTV-eqipped 73s and 75s closer to wifi functionality? Or is more paperwork required...
Jul 8, 2013 | 6:02 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2006
Programs: jetBlue TrueBlue, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 2,164
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.
Jul 8, 2013 | 7:30 am
#8
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
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.
Jul 11, 2013 | 5:11 pm
#10
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Nifty video in this post showing the radome installation process: http://blog.jetblue.com/index.php/20...fly-fi-update/.
Jul 13, 2013 | 3:47 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat Pro, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 848
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.
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.
Jul 19, 2013 | 5:47 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2006
Programs: jetBlue TrueBlue, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 2,164
Sep 3, 2013 | 11:19 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2006
Programs: jetBlue TrueBlue, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 2,164
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
Fly-Fi Approved for JetBlue and LiveTv
Sep 3, 2013 | 1:17 pm
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Rapids Reward
Posts: 40,069
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
Fly-Fi Approved for JetBlue and LiveTv
Sep 3, 2013 | 4:24 pm
#15
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
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.
And don't forget that they've promised it will be free at least until the first 30 planes are live.