JetBlue Airways this week announced plans to test e-mail and instant messaging over Wi-Fi on an LAX-to-SFO flight next Tuesday, December 11th, in partnership with Yahoo and Research in Motion.

Still, according to the AP's Anick Jesdanun, the service will be severely limited. "General Web surfing and e-mail attachments won't be permitted because of bandwidth constraints, and services on laptops and handhelds with Wi-Fi wireless access will be limited to e-mail and messaging from Yahoo Inc.," Jesdanun writes. "Passengers can check other personal and work e-mail - but only on two BlackBerry models that have Wi-Fi wireless capabilities."

And as InformationWeek's W. David Gardner points out, JetBlue is, of course, not alone. "American Airlines, Virgin America, and Alaska Air Group all have their own in-flight Internet development programs underway," he writes. "All of them are hoping commercial service of some sort can get underway sometime next year."

More here from Jaunted ... more here from the LA Times ... more here from TechCrunch ... more here from SlipperyBrick ... more here from CNET News ... more here from Wired ... and more here from InternetNews.

Photo above is from the AP.