Lufthansa
partners with Panasonic to relaunch inflight Internet
|
From
the middle of next year, Lufthansa's customers will
once again enjoy the full freedom to communicate via
the Internet above the clouds as it relaunches FlyNet,
its on-board broadband Internet service. In addition,
the new service will permit inflight data transfer
over standard GSM/GPRS mobile networks. |
Lufthansa passengers will have WLAN Internet
access and be able to send SMS messages by mobile phone and
transfer data via smartphones such as PDA, iPhone or BlackBerry
devices.
Together
with its new business partner Panasonic, Lufthansa
aims to equip a major part of its long-range fleet
with FlyNet within the first year of operation. FlyNet
with place Lufthansa at the helm of inflight connectivity.
“In terms of communications, Lufthansa customers
can look forward to a top-tier inflight service,”
said Lufthansa CEO and Chairman Wolfgang Mayrhuber.
“On long-haul routes, we offer business travellers,
in particular, a range of communications options on
a par with those available at powerful hotspots or
upmarket hotels.” |
|
FlyNet thus completes the standardised communications
product for Lufthansa passengers across the entire travel
chain.
 |
“We
are thrilled to be working with Lufthansa as the launch
customer for Panasonic’s new broadband service,
exConnect.” said Paul Margis, CEO of Panasonic
Avionics Corporation. “Lufthansa’s previous
experience with passenger connectivity makes them
the ideal launch customer for the eXConnect service.
Lufthansa was a true pioneer with their FlyNet branded
service. |
We are proud to bring FlyNet back to their
passengers.” Lufthansa is deliberately
focusing on high band-width as the main requirement for the
unrestricted use of such services as web surfing, email/file
transfer including attachments and the Virtual Private Network
(VPN). In addition, only wide band-width will enable potential
future operational applications such as telemedicine for the
transmission of a patient’s vital parameters to a ground
station.
FlyNet is impressively user-friendly. Passengers with a WLAN
or GSM/GPRS-compatible device can log on from any point in
the aircraft cabin, just like at any public hotspot. Depending
on the device they are using (i.e. laptop, mobile phone or
smart phone), passengers can choose to be billed via the mobile
service provider or pay by credit card. Various different
price models are planned – ranging from a rate by the
hour to a monthly flat rate. Passengers should also be able
to redeem Miles & More award miles for the use of WLAN
Internet connections. The exact price for specific products
will be announced at a later date. The service will gradually
become available on all Lufthansa long-haul flights worldwide.
With this new project, Lufthansa is building on its positive
experience with Lufthansa FlyNet. As long ago as 15 January
2003, the world’s first scheduled flight providing broadband
Internet access on board took off. Between May 2004 until
the end of 2006, when the service was withdrawn by Lufthansa’s
then partner, Connexion by Boeing, broadband Internet connectivity
via WLAN gained in popularity and the technology proved highly
reliable. Subsequently, 69 of Lufthansa’s long-range
aircraft were equipped with FlyNet, making the Lufthansa fleet
the largest Internet-enabled fleet in the world, with about
30,000 users per month.
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