Which Airlines Offer Free WiFi?

We’ve become so used to asking for — and getting — free WiFi that it’s almost become expected every time we travel.

But it doesn’t happen very often when we fly. There are exceptions.

JetBlue has offered free WiFi for a while, and some airlines like Alaska and Delta have begun to offer free in-flight messaging.

But now, Delta is beginning to test the idea of free WiFi system-wide. Delta started a free WiFi test in May on 55 of its domestic flights, and the plan is to introduce it across its entire route network soon.

One caution is that while it’s nice to have free WiFi,  if you don’t have the right bandwidth on the plane, the WiFi — and the flight — can seem painfully slow.

Source: https://petergreenberg.com

JetBlue Announces Fast And Free In-Flight Wi-Fi. Advantages Are Plentiful - But Are There Also Any Risks?

NordVPN explains some security issues with in-flight Wi-Fi, and describes safety measures to protect travelers’ privacy

 JetBlue has announced that it will provide free satellite Wi-Fi, called Fly-Fi, on all of its local flights. According to the company spokesman, it’s 2017 and it’s impossible to ignore the fact that people “expect to be connected everywhere.”

Worldwide, there are currently more than 70 airlines that offer on-board Wi-Fi – but none of them have offered a free Wi-Fi connection up until now.  In-flight Wi-Fi is typically known for being slow and expensive. JetBlue is hoping to change that by launching a hotspot that is free and fast (up to 20 Mbps). This will allow passengers to stream movies, and to use multiple devices at the same time. The connectivity will start at the departure gate and will end upon the arrival gate.

JetBlue’s move towards free and fast Internet is an exciting development. However, it brings attention to another factor: the privacy and security of any public Wi-Fi network.

While the threats of the usual open Wi-Fi are already well known, the security issues of an in-flight Internet connection are still somewhat obscure.

First, there's no password protection on the Wi-Fi connection, so anyone could potentially intercept personal data that’s being transmitted on a wireless network. Airplanes are unique hacking grounds – more dangerous than airports or coffee shops, as they cram passengers in one small space for hours. This gives plenty of time and opportunity for hackers to access all data that’s being transmitted over open networks. Passengers who do online banking, shopping or business emailing are especially vulnerable to identity and data theft.

Certain devices can also be misused for hacking purposes – for example, WiFi Pineapple which is small enough to be stored in someone’s carry on, can be used to pose as a Wi-Fi connection – so when a user connects to Wi-Fi, they may actually be connecting to a device that is used to steal their personal information.

How can airplane passengers protect their data?

1. Designate network as Public. First, a traveler gets to designate the Wi-Fi network as Home, Work or Public. Those who choose Home network show that they trust all the people connected to the same network - which should not be the case on an airplane full of strangers. Work network should be used for a private group at work. So the safest option for airplane passengers is Public network setting - as this option is created to make sure it’s not visible by other computers.

2. Avoid fraudulent networks. Secondly, travelers have to make sure they are connecting to the Wi-Fi network offered on the flight, and not a look-a-like network with a similar-sounding name that might be spoofed.

3. Use a VPN. Besides these local precautions, the best and most effective way for any traveler to protect their data is to use a VPN. A professional VPN service encrypts all the traffic flow between the Internet and a device and helps hide an IP address. If you are a beginner, it’s best to choose a VPN that’s user-friendly. For example, NordVPN only requires the user to log in (the first time only) and press the ON button. The app will then choose the fastest server to connect to, in a country of your choice. That’s all it takes to hide your IP address and to start safe browsing. Beware of free VPN service providers that typically rely on third party advertisers to cover the costs. Often, they are free proxy services, marketed as VPNs, when in fact proxies are not encrypted (they just change your IP address, but do not hide/encrypt it).

4. Use other precautions for safe Internet. Besides using a VPN, travelers should use antivirus, firewall and anti-spyware and automatically update their software. In addition, all Internet users are advised against opening links and attachments emailed by unknown senders, and to stay generally vigilant when going online.

To find out more, visit www.nordvpn.com

JetBlue Plans To Offer Best In-Flight Experience For U.S. To Dominican Republic Flights

Restyled cabin will include a greater focus on connectivity, comfort, and space.

 

 jetBlue, the fifth-largest airline in the U.S. and the largest provider of flights to the Caribbean from the United States, announced it will introduce a fully connected in-seat experience, among other new features, as part of its Airbus A320 cabin restyling program. A major focus of the new cabin will be keeping customers connected throughout their flight, including free gate-to-gate Fly-Fi high-speed Internet, a new Internet-enabled inflight entertainment system, high-definition seatback televisions, and in-seat power outlets with USB ports.

Entertainment and Connectivity

jetBlue will become the first domestic airline to launch an inflight entertainment system that connects the much-loved seatback television to the aircraft's Wi-Fi Internet connection for customer use. The new streaming television inflight entertainment system from Thales – STV+ – is built on the Google Android platform, opening unlimited possibilities for custom app and widget development, live content streaming, audio-and-video-on-demand, and personal device pairing to offer more entertainment options than ever in collaboration with jetBlue's industry-leading content partners.

In addition to streaming content, jetBlue will expand the number of DirecTV® television channels offered from 36 to more than 100, and will have the capability to offer a library of over 300 on-demand Hollywood films and other content stored locally on the aircraft.

The experience will be delivered on a new 10-inch, high-definition touch screen at every seat – almost double the size of the screens today.

One of the most exciting updates is that jetBlue will now offer gate-to-gate access to Fly-Fi, the airline's free wireless high-speed Internet service powered by Thales and ViaSat. With gate-to-gate connectivity, customers will be able to use high-speed Internet on their personal devices during takeoff and landing to surf or shop the web, post pictures to social media, email colleagues and friends, or connect to The Hub – jetBlue's content portal – to access content and stream Amazon Video before the flight even leaves the ground. jetBlue's new seat design offers AC power outlets with USB ports for every seat.

Comfort

The A320 cabin will closely follow jetBlue's A321 cabin design, introduced in 2014. The cabin's design and features have quickly earned accolades from customers who walk onto the aircraft surprised to see the new jetBlue look. Key features include:

• The most legroom in coach and the widest seat available for a narrow body aircraft so that customers enjoy great personal space while traveling.
• Sleek ergonomic B/E Aerospace Pinnacle® seats, great for long-haul or short-haul travel, which offer better comfort though its patented comfort suspension system.
• Moveable headrests that slide up, down and wrap around.
• LED cabin lighting and a modern interior color palette that makes the cabin experience more stylish and more comfortable.

This marks jetBlue's first complete redesign of the interiors on its A320 fleet since it launched in 2000.
jetBlue Flight Facts

• jetBlue is the biggest carrier to Dominican Republic, from the United States, offering 25-30 flights daily, varying by season.
• jetBlue carried 2.5 million passengers to Dominican Republic in 2015.
• jetBlue offers transport to Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, La Romana, Punta Cana and Santiago.
• jetBlue offers four flights each day from U.S. to Punta Cana.
• jetBlue is adding two new weekly flights from New York (JFK) to Puerto Plata (POP) beginning in June and running through September.

The country is tracking at a median growth of 5.1 percent over the last 5 years, with numbers from the first months of 2016 looking to surpass last year's arrivals. Dominican Republic boasts eight international airports throughout the country, each positioned in a key travel region to ensure convenience of travel, and currently welcomes flights from 26 countries and counting.

For more information on Dominican Republic, visit www.GoDominicanRepublic.com.

About Dominican Republic
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the north and the Caribbean Sea on the south, our lush tropical and paradisiacal country boasts nearly 1,000 miles (1,609 km) of coastline, 250 miles (402 km) of the world's top beaches, magnificent resorts and hotels, and a variety of sports, recreation and entertainment options. Here you can dance to the pulse pounding thrill of the merengue, renew in our luxurious and diverse accommodations, explore ancient relics of centuries past, delight in delicious Dominican gastronomy or enjoy ecotourism adventures in our magnificent national parks, mountain ranges, rivers and beaches.

Known for our warm and hospitable people, Dominican Republic is a destination like no other, featuring astounding nature, intriguing history and rich cultural experiences like music, art and festivals, plus uniquely Dominican specialties such as cigars, rum, chocolate, coffee, merengue, amber and larimar.

Dominican Republic features the best beaches, fascinating history and culture, and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families alike.  Visit Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism's official website at: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com.

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