Deutsche Lufthansa AG on June 22 started providing high-speed Internet services via wireless LAN on its airplane from Narita en route to Munich.
The service employs an Internet service provider (ISP) service called “Connextion by Boeing,” which is provided by US Connextion by Boeing using a stationary satellite. Communication speeds are 5Mbps downstream link and 1Mbps upstream link.
To use the service, a notebook PC or a PDA equipped with a wireless LAN is required. In addition to the Internet connection by Connextion by Boeing, inside the plane, news, travel information, Lufthansa services and in-flight shopping information are provided on its portal site called “FlyNet portal” in both English and German.
The FlyNet portal is free. Internet connection fees come in two plans: a fixed rate or based on usage unit. The fixed-rate fee system “InternetFlight” is US$29.95 per flight. A fee plan based on usage “InternetMinutes” is US$9.95 for the first 30 minutes and an additional US$0.25 per minute thereafter. Currently, the method of payment is by credit card only.
Read more at NEAsia
