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NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon wants to give JetBlue passengers a new option for tuning out that crying baby or talkative seat neighbor.
The e-commerce company will let members of Amazon's $99 annual loyalty program Prime stream its instant video service for free on their Wi-Fi enabled devices via JetBlue's inflight Wi-Fi service. JetBlue is one of the only U.S. airlines to offer free Wi-Fi on its planes; Southwest offers free Wi-Fi-enabled entertainment like TV shows and TV stations.
Called Fly-Fi for Amazon Prime, the service will give Prime members access to original Amazon shows like "Transparent," its other streaming TV and movies, as well as the ability to rent or buy other titles on Amazon's Instant Video store.
Previously Amazon Prime members could pay for Jet Blue's premium Wi-Fi service called Fly-Fi Plus and stream video that way. But now members will be able to stream on JetBlue's free service. Amazon's Prime Music streaming service, e-books from its Kindle store and apps and games from the Amazon app store will also be available.
Prime members will be able watch Amazon Instant Video from their laptops, Fire devices, iPhones, iPads and Android phones and tablets without downloading anything beforehand. JetBlue's free Fly-Fi broadband Internet will be available on all JetBlue's Airbus A321 and A320 aircraft later this year, and on JetBlue's Embraer E190 aircraft in 2016.
The agreement will also let JetBlue Airways Corp. use some behind-the-scenes footage from Amazon's original shows on its seatback TV inflight offerings.
Amazon.com Inc. has been expanding its Prime program's offerings in an effort to grow its membership with services such as grocery delivery, one-hour delivery in some cities, beefed up video streaming and the creation of a Bluetooth speaker called the Echo that syncs with Prime music.
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