Inflight Web in Holding Pattern Inflight Web in Holding Pattern

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Bob Frankston <Bob19-0501 () bobf frankston com>
Date: December 23, 2006 12:15:42 PM EST
To: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Subject: Inflight Web in Holding Pattern Inflight Web in Holding Pattern

WSJ: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116674995719857365.html? 
mod=djemTECH



The headline is a frustrating reminder of how far we are from people  
understanding the basic concepts – it’s not the web, it’s Internet  
Connectivity. No wonder people don’t understand the value of being  
connected with the world while flying! If this same cluelessness were  
extended the airlines would eliminate other “money-losing” perks like  
in-flight music and those expensive reclining seats.



The biggest money-loser is ignorance. Like being told by one  
attendant that IR is even more dangerous than those radios even as  
the FAA is saying that the fears of radios are unfounded.

 Inflight Web in Holding Pattern As Obstacles Spur Uncertainty
By ANDY PASZTOR
December 22, 2006; Page B5

A group that includes airlines, equipment suppliers and satellite  
companies hope to breathe new life into an effort to offer Internet  
access to plane passengers, even though Boeing Co. pulled the plug  
after investing about $1 billion in the project.

But so far, arguments over who will subsidize the money-losing  
venture, and how it can be modified to make it more appealing to  
passengers, have impeded progress, people familiar with the matter  
said. Any replacement service also is likely to be more limited in  
number of planes and geographic coverage.

A Lufthansa AG spokeswoman said the carrier is seeking a way to  
restart Boeing's Connexion in-flight Internet system toward the end  
of 2007. It leads a group that includes the Panasonic Avionics unit  
of Japan's Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.; Luxembourg satellite- 
operator SES Global SA; and Connexion subcontractor ViaSat Inc. of  
Carlsbad, Calif., the people familiar with the matter said.

 . . .

A spokesman for Boeing said it isn't in the talks but keeps working  
with carriers and suppliers to phase out the service by Dec. 31.  
Korean Air, Singapore Airlines Ltd. and other large carriers have  
been involved in the latest talks, the people familiar with the  
matter said.

Write to Andy Pasztor at andy.pasztor@wsj.com1





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