Research In Motion Ltd (BBRY) Flying High With Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) Wi-fi

Research in Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) has been trying to build up some momentum for its new BlackBerry operating system and its new Z10 and Q10 handsets. While this news may be a small step, it could be a small step that leads to a big leap for BlackBerry users – especially those who are traveling businessmen and like to do some work on airplanes.

It was announced quietly through Twitter this week that Research in Motion Ltd has reached an agreement with Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) to provide free wi-fi connections to BlackBerry users on domestic Delta flights.  There is apparently no limit to the amount of time users can spend on the wi-fi network while a plane is in the air, with users needing only to open a browser on the BlackBerry device.

There is no word yet whether this will expand to other airlines, but it’s likely that Research in Motion Ltd. is certainly in discussions.

In related Research in Motion Ltd. news, there is reportedly some information about a new lower-priced  BlackBerry 10-powered device that CEO Thorsten Heins essentially confirmed would arrive on shelves by the end of the year. Specifically, he said that the company is looking to have four BlackBerry 10 devices  on store shelves by the end of 2013, with the Z10 already on U.S. store shelves and the Q10 due to hit the U.S. market in the next few weeks.  Heins did say the company was looking to put forth a lower-budget smartphone, and apparently the R Series BB10 will fit that bill.

The leaked report is the R Series phone may come out in late summer or fall of 2013 and would be in the $300-$400 range sans wireless contract. It is expected to have a full QWERTY keyboard, and SD card slot to go with 8 GB of internal storage.

What are your thoughts about the free wi-fi on Delta Air Lines Inc. by Research in Motion Ltd? And what are your thoughts  about the new lower-priced phone? Leave us your comments below.