Wireless internet on flights
Dec 29, 2006, 3:41 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
You mean, has it already happened?
The answer would be yes. A few international carriers have implemented it on longhaul flights charging an arm and leg for service. Many have posted here on FT while in the air.
Though note that Boeing's Connexion service is going kaput:
http://www.connexionbyboeing.com/
The answer would be yes. A few international carriers have implemented it on longhaul flights charging an arm and leg for service. Many have posted here on FT while in the air.
Though note that Boeing's Connexion service is going kaput:
http://www.connexionbyboeing.com/
Dec 29, 2006, 5:12 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I've been using it for a long time. It's not at all expensive at $26.99 for 24 hours. Plus it has been free for the last few months. But as you say, Boeing's service is going away in two days. Dang. 
Dec 29, 2006, 1:49 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
I lived on this for the better part of the year. Free was best, but at the 24-hours flat pricing, it was a great deal too as it would work for all flights within that period.
Dec 31, 2006, 3:08 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Shuttling between LA and Tokyo
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold / BA GGL&CCR
Posts: 2,484
Originally Posted by UAalltheway
I agree.. the loss of Connexion really sucks.
Anybody know if there's any talk about some other company starting up a new internet service, simular to this?
Anybody know if there's any talk about some other company starting up a new internet service, simular to this?
Jan 8, 2007, 9:06 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Panasonic was supposed to do a seamless transfer from Connexion to their system in the beginning of January, but that didn't work out, so they're aiming for 2008, but it's looking more and more remote now. Do a search for Panasonic and you'll find some threads on it from a few weeks back.
Jan 8, 2007, 10:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Shuttling between LA and Tokyo
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold / BA GGL&CCR
Posts: 2,484
Originally Posted by GUWonder
Very disappointing that Panasonic hasn't stepped up to the plate in a timely manner.
Jan 12, 2007, 3:07 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: Delta SkyMiles Gold, Hilton HHonors Diamond, and Royal Caribbean Pinnacle Club
Posts: 1,009
LiveTV (subsidiary of jetBlue Airways) state that they might introduce inflight email and text messaging later this year. Not much, but it is alot better than trying to figure out what to watch or listen to on jetBlue's 36 channels of DirecTV and 100 plus channels of XM Radio.
Jan 12, 2007, 3:11 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New York
Programs: SPG LT Gold, DL PM 1MM
Posts: 692
I don't get why there is so little interest in IF internet... I've never had the opportunity to give it a try, but on longer flights where it would have been availiable i'd definitely would have given it a try. In combination with in seat power a laptop could be the best IFE thinkable. And as most modern business travelers (which pay the higher fares) travel with a laptop, i think a laptop power source is more interesting than the more expensive AVOD...
Jan 12, 2007, 3:25 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Shuttling between LA and Tokyo
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold / BA GGL&CCR
Posts: 2,484
I don't get why there is so little interest in IF internet... I've never had the opportunity to give it a try, but on longer flights where it would have been availiable i'd definitely would have given it a try. In combination with in seat power a laptop could be the best IFE thinkable. And as most modern business travelers (which pay the higher fares) travel with a laptop, i think a laptop power source is more interesting than the more expensive AVOD...
Take SQ for example. They only put Connexion on their 744s. However, inseat power was only available to those in F and C (62 seats), while people in Y (313 seats) had no access to it. So they've neglected 83% of the local "population" or else they'd have to bring piles of batteries.
And pricing was a factor too. $29.95 for 24 hour access. Priced rather high, I say. But given some of these travel routes, I think it's too expensive for too little. Let's assume that you were traveling from CMB-SIN-NRT-LAX on SQ (and we'll just assume that they had Connexion on CMB-SIN). Given that route is more than 24 hours, to get the unlimited access, you would have had to purchase two passes. That's $60. I sure wouldn't spend that much. Besides, the live TV wasn't Mac-compatible.
Jan 12, 2007, 6:19 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 30
I'm not so sure the pricing and power plugs was the main issue even though it surely contributed to the collapse. Users were generally very satisfied with the service and felt it was well worth the money.
The problem as I've heard it had to do with not enough volume for all the satellite leases Connexion had to sign up to. Remember Connexion was designed pre 9-11 with hopes to attract major American carriers as their base. That never happened and LH/SK and a few others wasn't enough business to carry the cost.
The problem as I've heard it had to do with not enough volume for all the satellite leases Connexion had to sign up to. Remember Connexion was designed pre 9-11 with hopes to attract major American carriers as their base. That never happened and LH/SK and a few others wasn't enough business to carry the cost.