American to start testing in-flight internet access

Partnering with AirCell, American Airlines says it will be the first major U.S. carrier to feature in-flight Internet access. Is this a slap in the face toward JetBlue, who said they would start offering instant messaging and email a few days sooner? What if JetBlue upgrades to full Internet access in flights before American is done "testing"?

American will test AirCell's broadband Internet service next year on 15 planes that usually fly transcontinental routes.

AA currently is thinking they will charge about $10 per user, but JetBlue and others who go first will probably help establish the true market price.

Web In-Flight REALLY Happening This Time

The buzz is out there. The gauntlet has been thrown down. A line in the sand has been stepped over. We've reached the tipping point.

INFLIGHT INTERNET ACCESS IS COMING, YESSSSSSSSSS IT'SSSSSS COMINGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!

JetBlue has launched their inflight internet service.

It must be true because I red it on over a hundred news websites today, many claiming that the current round or providers have learned from Boeing's mistakes with Connexion.

Here are a few:
The News Press
Forbes
AP

Jet Blue takes the lead

Susan Stellin of the NY Times reports today that:

On Tuesday, JetBlue Airways will begin offering a free e-mail and instant messaging service on one aircraft, while American Airlines, Virgin America and Alaska Airlines plan to offer a broader Web experience in the coming months, probably priced at about $10 a flight.

I'm not sure why we haven't seen broad adoption of or a demand for Internet access in the air. It's been 13 years since I had my first AOL account... 11 since I worked for my first "dot com" company. I've got Google on my phone and hundreds of channels on my flat TV, on which, by the way, I can rewind shows that I am watching even as they are being broadcast with the magic of Tivo.

Why then, why, can't I check my email at 35,000 feet?