As a frequent flier of Jet Blue, I am thrilled to hear this latest bit of news.  They’re now offering email and instant messaging services above 10,000 feet.  The future is finally here.

To make it even more enticing to fly on JetBlue, the wireless services are free!  As a writer it is imperative to check my email and stay in touch with clients on a frequent basis throughout the day.  Customers traveling on this aircraft will be able to use the Wi-Fi smartphones, Blackberries and laptops to do work, chat with friends and send text messages.

I was already a great fan of JetBlue because they have always offered the 36 channels of DirectTV at every seat.  The entertainment always makes the flight seem faster because it gives passengers a means of killing time while we’re waiting to get to our destinations.  JetBlue seems to have more legroom than other airlines, and the snacks and menus are definitely superior.    

I am sure this latest bit of news will attract even more business customers to JetBlue’s services.  The fares are very reasonable and they seem to be adding more cities to their flight schedules every year.  So far they have never lost my bags or been late in getting me to my appointments.  But maybe I just have good luck.

From what I have learned about this new Wireless Internet service, JetBlue has teamed up with Yahoo, BlackBerry and LiveTV to offer its customers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to be just one step ahead of the competition.  The new service is called “BetaBlue” to go along with the blue theme that JetBlue has.  BetaBlue does not interfere with aircraft systems but it must be used above 10,000 feet.  The flight attendants will tell us when it is safe to use the BetaBlue and Smartphone systems.  We’re still not allowed to use cell phones in-flight because the FCC and FAA have deemed them as a hazard that could interfere with critical aircraft instruments.

For now… this is a huge step toward progress and any new change is a great change, in my book.  I really have no problem not using my cell phone while in-flight but I would be more likely to choose JetBlue knowing I can stay in touch with customers via the Internet and through Yahoo Messenger.