In-flight Wireless Slowly Taking Off
Connexion made its debut in May on Lufthansa, which calls its service FlyNet, and is the first full-feature, in-flight internet service to reach travellers. The only routes served as of July were Munich-Los Angeles and Munich-Tokyo, but the company plans to equip all its long-range aircraft with the technology, and add New York routes by the end of the year. According to Connexion spokesman Terrance Scott, Japan Airlines will be the next to add the service, followed by Scandinavian Airlines and All Nippon Airways.
Mr Scott said Connexion was in “active discussions” with several US carriers, but none had yet signed.
Wireless connection speeds are generally up to 20 times faster than those of a dial-up service, and if just a few people are logged on in the plane, the speed can rival that of some workplace connections. And unlike many office internet connections, Connexion’s service offers unrestricted web access. So far, five Lufthansa airplanes are equipped with the satellite receivers and wireless networks necessary to run the system. Full story Here.