SAS to introduce in-flight internet
SAS Scandinavian Airlines will become the second carrier to give passengers broadband internet access on long-haul flights.
Boeing, first in the market to offer wireless broadband links on board aircraft, will be installing Connexion in the entire SAS fleet of 11 Airbus aircraft in the second quarter of next year, according to the Financial Times.
Passengers will be able to use wireless-enabled laptops and PDAs for high-speed internet access, send and receive two-way email with attachments, have virtual private network access and streaming audio and video content.
First to sign up for Connexion was German national carrier Lufthansa. Some of its passengers can use the service early in 2004, and its whole fleet of 88 long-haul aircraft will be equipped over two years.
Other early partners in the scheme, American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Airlines, had to withdraw as losses mounted in late 2001, and the commercial launch of Connexion was delayed for two years.
But Boeing found alternative launch markets in Europe and Asia, and has signed definitive contracts with Lufthansa and SAS, which are both members of the Star airline alliance.
British Airways is testing the market and is expected to decide during the summer whether to sign up, and Japan Airline has said it will fit broadband on its long-haul aircraft.
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