JetBlue Airways has decided to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary LiveTV, which the company’s president Robin Hayes admits has been “an important part of the JetBlue experience.” He added, however, that “LiveTV’s future as a disrupter in the in-flight entertainment and data services space is best served by pairing with the right partner.”

Evidently, the right partner is Thales (News - Alert) Group, a prominent company in the aerospace, transportation, and defence and security markets. Thales group is purchasing LiveTV for $400 million. As usual, the sale is subject to regulatory and other approvals, so the transaction won’t close immediately, but it is expected to be completed later this year.

LiveTV is a major provider of live in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems for commercial airlines. In the last year, with the help of partner ViaSat (News - Alert), LiveTV introduced Ka-band satellite-driven onboard Internet connectivity dubbed Fly-Fi, improving upon what we’ve come to expect from in-air Wi-Fi dramatically.

"LiveTV is a great strategic fit for Thales," said Jean-Bernard Lévy, chairman and CEO of Thales Group, in a statement. "It will improve our positioning in the high growth business of In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity. Our aim is to offer the highest performance and most competitive and flexible connectivity solution to airlines regardless of their fleet-size, aircraft type or route structure.”

“Passengers increasingly expect broadband internet services at home, at work and on the move. Airlines want to enable their passengers to have access to this connected environment within the aircraft, allowing them to interact with both social media and professional networks while they travel," he added.

JetBlue passengers need not worry. Even though LiveTV will soon be a Thales Group company, it will continue to provide support for live TV and in-flight connectivity for JetBlue thanks to long-term agreements signed alongside the closing of the transaction. In other words, JetBlue’s access to LiveTV’s in-flight entertainment technologies will continue for some time.