Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Boeing sells in-flight access, but not in the U.S. 

There where already some postings here about the Sky High Club of Skypers in the air. The Herald Tribune I mentioned in my last post also has an article on satellite connexions in airplanes.

"On-nonstop flights from Copenhagen to Seattle up to 50 passengers are using their laptops to be connected to the Internet".

...

"But the SAS's eperience highlights a stark reality for American business travellers: To make an office in the sky, you have to fly with foreign airlines"
...

Boing is still struggling to bring the Internet to domestic (ah, US airlines). They care for their customers providing at least a few hours escape for business manages form their 24/7 connection to the home office.

Result: Connexion has to cut 100 positions (= 15%) of their workforce.

"While American carriers continue to be hesitant, European, Asian, even Middle East airlines - which rely heavily on business travellers are taking the plunge in increasing numbers. Boeing has singed up 13 foreign (=non-US) airlaines on 84 planes, soon to be 100.

"The US carriers are feeling a lot of pressure from our customers" said Laurette Koehler, president of Connexion. One argument is also that the US carriers are mor concentrated on leisure travellers.

Maybe this is part of the reason why I see rarely a European carrier's plane with free seats left and the US carriers are struggling and only saved by chapter 11.

A survey by Innovation Analysis Group in San Diego recently found that more than half of all frequent flyers are willing to pay for an in-flight Internet connection. "We are seeing that this technology will probably pay for itself faster than anything else on board."

Another item in broadband where the US is falling behind - BITS for BITS.

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