JetBlue Airways receives FAA approval for its new Airbus A320 Ka-band system, ushering in a new generation for LiveTV online services

JetBlue Airways (New York) has been granted a FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its new Airbus A320 for a new inflight connectivity and streaming entertainment system. FAA approval was needed before JetBlue could begin installing “Fly-Fi” on its its A320 fleet. In fact, aircraft N804JB on which the first system was installed, has been out of service following some test flights. JetBlue’s subsidiary, LiveTV, has issued this statement:

LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways, has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Airbus A320 aircraft from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the first-of-its-kind Ka-band system, a satellite-based inflight connectivity and streaming entertainment solution, paving the road for next generation commercial inflight broadband. LiveTV provides system design, certification, installation and turnkey support services including line maintenance to airline customers and expects to roll out this product on three additional aircraft types by the end of the year.

“This is game-changing technology, and JetBlue is honored to be the first airline to offer this great new service to our customers,” said Robin Hayes, chief commercial officer for JetBlue. “We expect to have a number of JetBlue aircraft installed with Wi-Fi by the end of this year, and will aggressively roll it out across our Airbus fleet over the next 18 months, followed by our Embraer fleet. We believe this product will redefine customer expectations with the fastest in-flight Wi-Fi in the industry. This is especially important to our customers on coast-to-coast flights, where time spent in the air can now be as productive as on the ground.”

The satellite-based Wi-Fi system has completed testing on the initial Airbus A320 aircraft for JetBlue and is currently being certified for United Airlines’ Boeing 737-900 aircraft. LiveTV has also initiated European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification for the Ka-band system for the Aer Lingus Airbus A320 fleet. In addition to superfast Wi-Fi, LiveTV offers its airline customers a customizable portal and an on-board streaming content server as part of the system.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N599JB (msn 2336) in the Barcode motif climbs away from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Video: The first JetBlue A321 with a new tail design: