The JetBlue in-air communications division seems pretty serious about getting services available to passengers. They just purchased the Airfone network from Verizon.  

The purchase includes 100 ground to air transmission stations as well as any remaining corporate and government customers (commercial airlines discontinued the service some time ago).

LiveTV plans to use the network for voice, email and other online services.

JetBlue Airways Corp’s LiveTV unit said it has agreed to buy Verizon Communications Inc’s Airfone network as aims to develop in-flight email and Internet services, The Wall Street Journal said on Monday.

The companies did not reveal the purchase price, it said.

JetBlue and other airlines, such as Continental, use LiveTV’s satellite-based television programming service to provide in flight entertainment.

Source: Reuters / WSJ