In-flight Internet to return Q1 2008

[simong]

Bruner said he expects the first airlines to announce in the next few months that they will offer the Panasonic service, and it should be operating on jetliners by the first quarter of 2008.

Some of Boeing's Connexion customers are likely to be the first to use the Panasonic system. Lufthansa was the initial launch customer for Connexion. Other airlines followed, including Singapore, Japan Airlines, SAS and All Nippon.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/busine...864_air01.html

Good news, surely SQ will be back on board ASAP given their ongoing relationship with Panasonic.

[token01]

this is good news - if they get the internet up there - howd they gonna charge for it time or usage? Reason i ask is that when i flew sq that had connexion, it was in the closing stages when it was free...

[nickbot]

token01, from memory (I'm sure those who used it more often will know exact details), you could pay for time using Credit Card (or even KF miles), buying time in something like 1 hour/4 hour/whole flight increments; I think the "whole flight" payment of around US$26 was valid for 24 hours.

It seemed that takeup wasn't great, but I personally doubt that this was due to the pricing structure - US$26 for satellite internet connection whilst on a longhaul flight is, in my opinion, an absolute bargain. I think one of the things that hampered it for the masses (i.e. Economy pax) was/is the lack of inseat power. For the airline, the connexion equipment weighed an awful lot, and the opportunity cost for lost cargo revenue was pretty steep. Think there are plenty of discussions out there regarding this, so won't try to repeat.

According to the SQ Vice Ppresident of Canada (at CGK's LPP party in YVR), all of the Connexion equipped aircraft in the SQ fleet are still carrying the Connexion equipment - seems silly to me, but apparently true. Also all the new IFE is built around connectivity, but sadly this connectivity is now unavailable

RIP Connexion, and fingers crossed this new system rolls out soon!

[quik!]

It's true it's really a bargain at USD26 for the whole flight, the only problem is the in seat power...I would pay more than 26USD just to get online for the whole flight! IMO, they are the best IFE ever

[nickbot]

It's true it's really a bargain at USD26 for the whole flight, the only problem is the in seat power...I would pay more than 26USD just to get online for the whole flight! IMO, they are the best IFE ever

My sentiments exactly. Here's hoping there's no connexion-esque service providers scanning the forums, but I'd comfortably pay double that,...and if you opt for the "nickbot" seat on rear left of the 744, then in seat power wouldn't be a problem he he

[token01]

cheeers nickbot, looks like u had some juicy info for me there. - Well it defientely seems like a bargain, as with SKL which provides free internet unlike LH grr LOL (i have a story when i was waiting in FRA, i went all the way from SEN lounge through American security lol just to see the United lounge thinking theyd have it, they didint so i bought the T mobile thing and left to go bak to the SEN lounge - turns out it only worked in the United lounge lol)
cant wait for more news on this!! cheers
token

[cawhite]

token01, from memory (I'm sure those who used it more often will know exact details), you could pay for time using Credit Card (or even KF miles), buying time in something like 1 hour/4 hour/whole flight increments; I think the "whole flight" payment of around US$26 was valid for 24 hours.

It seemed that takeup wasn't great, but I personally doubt that this was due to the pricing structure - US$26 for satellite internet connection whilst on a longhaul flight is, in my opinion, an absolute bargain. I think one of the things that hampered it for the masses (i.e. Economy pax) was/is the lack of inseat power. For the airline, the connexion equipment weighed an awful lot, and the opportunity cost for lost cargo revenue was pretty steep. Think there are plenty of discussions out there regarding this, so won't try to repeat.

According to the SQ Vice Ppresident of Canada (at CGK's LPP party in YVR), all of the Connexion equipped aircraft in the SQ fleet are still carrying the Connexion equipment - seems silly to me, but apparently true. Also all the new IFE is built around connectivity, but sadly this connectivity is now unavailable

RIP Connexion, and fingers crossed this new system rolls out soon!

The 24-hour charge was US$26.95. However, there were also some 50% discount codes at the time as well.

[Lobster]

For me the big problem was that SQ's IFE was always just too good so I could not see any point in paying for internet access.

[StarG]

I think the charge is quite reasonable. A 24-hour connection in hotel rooms in the US is usually around 10 USD and more in Asia/Australia.

[nickbot]

I think the charge is quite reasonable. A 24-hour connection in hotel rooms in the US is usually around 10 USD and more in Asia/Australia.

...and much much more in the UK/Europe I regularly pay around £18.99 (so roughly US$ 37ish I think) for 24 hours.

[quik!]

For me the big problem was that SQ's IFE was always just too good so I could not see any point in paying for internet access.

Personal preference really.

For me, I wouldn't be bothered to even touch the IFE if I had the Internet access! It's like a window the the world when you feel "trapped".

[The High Flyer]

For me the big problem was that SQ's IFE was always just too good so I could not see any point in paying for internet access.

Accessing real-time news and chatting with your loved ones on MSN is something you can't do with the IFE. I would gladly pay the US$26.95 too.

[taipeiflyer]

first off, i think the price is very reasonable. but one of the things i love about flying is the ability to just get away from the world for several hours- no internet, no email, no nothing. amazingly, in all of the times i've flown, never have i experienced such an urgent matter that it couldn't wait until i touched down. i think it's great that they are offering it, but even if it was only $5, i would rather stick to the IFE and a good book.

[token01]

im leaaaning towards tapei's opinions here, in the sense that apart from checking the usual email, news, sqtalk and facebook, i have no urgency to use the net whilst travelling. I of course dont cover some of you corporate lot, who probably have lots of urgent things to do where the internet would make it easier. However the IFE gives me a chance to watch some movies back to back which is great, since im usually pressed for time on the ground.

[nickbot]

Most, if not all of my internet usage on the occasions that I've used Connexion in the past has been non-work - I suppose I'm with quik! on this one, the internet to me is pretty much all the entertainment I need for a 12 hour flight!

The thing I really miss is the ability to log onto MSN and chat with friends, and when they asked how you are, you could say something along the lines of:

Great - I'm currently about 6 miles above Afghanistan, travelling at 500 mph and enjoying a nice glass of wine