Fly-Fi Still Looking Great

12 Mbps (Mega-bytes per seat) 

It wasn't too long ago that JetBlue's Fly-Fi got it's first real test with decent, but not great, reviews. Not too long later they decided to up the ante for a stress test: a flight full of blogging, streaming, Instagramming journalists on a flight that started and ended at JFK for the sole purpose of putting the wireless internet to the test. Not bad for a budget airline.

So what did Engadget have to say? "...the connection was much faster on the plane than it was in the JFK terminal..." which to me is a fairly impressive statement to make about in-flight wifi. Zach, from Engadget, was able to load 720p YouTube videos with only a moment or two of buffering and if it truly was faster than on the ground at JFK, color me impressed.

In addition to the A320s that currently have Fly-Fi, 737s have also begun to be equipped with the service thanks to JetBlue's subsidiary LiveTV. For the time being, Big Blue is still the only airline, let alone the only cheap airline, that is offering these types of speeds for a fair $9 per hour - but that's only if you want to use high definition streaming. Until June 2014, using Fly-Fi for plain old browsing the Internet will be free, as in beer. 

So if you're waiting to board your always affordable flight purchased through JetBlue and see the logo above by the boarding door entrance, you're in for a treat! Relax and enjoy cutting edge Wi-Fi speeds for free courtesy of JetBlue. For more information and FAQ, visit the JetBlue Fly-Fi page.

I'm hoping I get to try it out on my next flight out of JFK, but if have tried it let me know what you think!

Update: Check out BlueTales to find out what flights in the next 24 hours will have Fly-Fi onboard!

 - John

Blue's News Dec 10

What's new with JetBlue

• Thanksgiving may be over and done, but that just means we're in the official holiday season! If you're flying through T5 to get to your family and loved ones, there are a couple seasonal changes to the airport that can make your travel less crazy: roaming carolers, a photo booth, the new Airspace Lounge, and of course a free adult beverage with the JetBlue American Express card on your flight. Check out this and more tips for safe budget holiday flight info at BlueTales.

• Also at T5, until December 20th, Kate Spade is setting up a special pop-up installation to brighten up the decor and will be giving away free prizes!

Post by JetBlue Airways.

• Don't forget you can donate your TrueBlue points that you aren't using on airfare and have double the impact this holiday season thanks to JetBlue matching donations!

• That's all for this week! Stay tuned for an upcoming detailed post on the JetBlue Amex, which I have been waiting to post points to my TrueBlue account for quite some time.

- John

Congress's Air Tax: An Unfair Proposition?

JetBlue Is Against the Proposed Tax Hike

According to BlueTales, on a $300 round trip ticket 20% of the cost, on average, does to fees and taxes imposed upon the aviation industry. Currently flying is taxed under the same sinful area as tobacco and alcohol. Now, Congress is proposing a 100% increase on a TSA tax, from $2.50 to $5.00 and the White house is in support of tripling it. This increase is meant to tackle budget deficits, but has no actual correlation with increased security or personnel hires within the TSA.

A few facts about the current situation:

• From 2007 to 2012, the TSA budget increased 19% even though the number of screens performed dropped by 11%.
• The aviation industry is subject to 17 different federal and state taxes.
• Last year passengers paid nearly $2 billion in security taxes when flying.

Is there a lot more to this than meets the eye? That always tends to be the case when it comes to politics and matters of policy. In this case though, this seems to be a transparent grab at funding increasing for an arm of the government whose usefulness has already been called into question in recent years despite more and more money getting pumped into the TSA's coffers. There is no apparent or explicit benefit that we, as passengers, could be gaining by this increase in security tax. It puts strains on the already fragile airline industry, drives up already expensive ticket prices, and sets a dangerous precedent for future moves of similar nature. 

If you'd like to speak out to your representative about your feelings on the tax, you can do so easily at Stop Air Tax Now and stand up with Airlines for America, the Consumer Travel Alliance, IATA, ALPA, and RAA to oppose the additional taxes. I have taken the short amount of time needed to voice my opinion and hope you do too! Traveling shouldn't have to be un-affordable by way of taxes and now is an opportunity to prevent rising costs.

 - John

Donating Frequent Flier Points

JetBlue Lets You Use Points for Good

One of my favorite aspects of Jet Blue is their dedication to being a socially conscious business. All big companies will engage in the occasional non-profit work for public relations and to spread general goodwill, but certain organizations seem to go above and beyond by consistently finding new and innovative ways to give back.

Case and point, as the anniversary of Hurricane Sandy has come and gone, leaving much of JetBlue's home city of NYC still in recovery, JetBlue is allowing customers to donate money to AmeriCares and matching dollar for dollar (point) up to $25,000.

If there ever was a great use for unused airline points, a dollar matching towards a wonderful organization is one of them. AmeriCares is a diasaster relief non-profit that works to give humanitarian aid in the US and around the world. So far, they have given $3 million towards Haiyan relief.

Many homes and businesses in NYC are still struggling to rebuild and make ends meet even though the storm was a year ago. This is a wonderful gesture towards the home that JetBlue proudly has in NYC and as New Yorker myself am very touched by their efforts. If you points to spare, you have until December 31st to make the donation.

 - John