United Airlines is adding in-air Internet access on some flights.Airplane phones have been disappearing, but in-air Internet access that’s usable and affordable may finally start to arrive. United Airlines says they’ve installed Verizon Airfone JetConnect on 22% of domestic US flights, via a standard RJ-11 phone cord. The service provides IM, outbound text messages, news, weather, sports, games, city guides, and, for an additional fee, email sending and receiving. Basic service is US$5.99 — so usable for quick messages via IM. We’d still like to see more, of course.

Airplane phones have been disappearing, but in-air Internet access that’s usable and affordable may finally start to arrive. United Airlines says they’ve installed Verizon Airfone JetConnect on 22% of domestic US flights, via a standard RJ-11 phone cord. The service provides IM, outbound text messages, news, weather, sports, games, city guides, and, for an additional fee, email sending and receiving. Basic service is US$5.99 — so usable for quick messages via IM. We’d still like to see more, of course.