By Ron Coates, 26 March 2004 14:08
NEWS Connexion by Boeing has revealed the prices of its in-flight Wi-Fi, just weeks before the first Lufthansa long-haul flight takes off with the kit aboard.
If work hangs heavy over your head and you don't fancy the movie, you can have unlimited access on flights lasting over six hours for $29.95. For short-haul flights, three to six hours, the cost is $19.95.
And if you just want to test the waters, Boeing offers a starter package of $9.95 for 30 minutes and 25 cents a minute thereafter.
Lufthansa, which trialled the system late last year, will be first in the air with the service next month, with SAS close behind. According to a Boeing spokesman, Japan Airlines and ANA have signed agreements for the service and Singapore Airlines and China Airlines have "expressed intent".
BA, the other carrier to trial the system, will make a decision this autumn. It currently has a deal with BT to roll-out Wi-Fi hotspots to 80 of its passenger lounges around the world.
Boeing quoted Forrester Research to the effect that 38 per cent of frequent travellers would pay at least $25 per flight for "full, high-speed access to the internet and their corporate network" - which could explain the pricing structure.
Connexion uses satellite connection to offer speeds around 156Kbps. The system allows for a Wi-Fi connection or an Ethernet plug-in. Both Lufthansa and SAS have opted for the Wi-Fi-based system.
A Connexion spokesman said that the Japanese carriers had expressed interest in the plug-in Ethernet system.
Lufthansa expects that it will take until 2005 to install the system in all of its 80 long-haul aircraft.
Comments
There are 4 comments. Join the discussion
1. Milton
Cool
2. anonymous
bad idea. could be used as a tool for terrorists. leave a laptop bomb on board, and do a remote detonation from the safety of a keyboard anywhere on the planet.
3. Alistair Hoy
I believe business travellers would be prepared to pay for in flight email capability.
4. Simon Heywood
Would be good if you could do your customs declaration form online. Electronic version could be at passport control by the time you arrive. ...and they will have done your passport checks before you get to control. ...faster through customs and enhanced security.