21st-Century Air Mail

Put down that novel and get to work. Continental and United airlines each have announced plans for in-flight e-mail service. Continental was the first out of the block, launching the $15.98-per-flight service this summer on its Boeing 757 fleet, with plans to expand to smaller jets through the fall. United expects to get passengers connected by the end of the year and to charge a similar fee. Both airlines are using Verizon's JetConnect service, which includes e-mail, instant messaging,