Japan Airlines and Connexion by
Boeing, a business unit of The Boeing Company today announced the start of
the first real-time, high-speed Internet access available to passengers
flying out of the United Kingdom. The maiden flight on December 11 of
flight JL402 from Heathrow marks the beginning of a new era for passengers
traveling from London to the Pacific Rim region, who want to be connected
to the things that are important to them. The inaugural flight from
Tokyo-to-London occurred Dec. 9. Passengers using JAL SkyOnline, with Internet service provided by
Connexion by Boeing(SM), will have access to the World Wide Web; two-way,
real-time email; their corporate intranet, including virtual private
network capability; and the ability to stay in touch with friends, family
and the office, providing passengers with unlimited choices for how to
spend their time in flight

Connexion by Boeing Vice President of Commercial Airlines Stan Deal
applauded JAL for its connectivity vision and commitment to adding
value-added services for the business traveler, such as high-speed
Internet access and JAL’s award-winning ‘Shell Flat Seat.’

“This is an exciting time in the long-standing relationship we’ve enjoyed
with Japan Airlines,” said Deal. “We are delighted to have the opportunity
to bring this exciting new technology to U.K. residents and to travelers
catching connecting flights to Tokyo and other destinations in Asia. The
addition of Connexion by Boeing in-flight connectivity adds another
element of branding distinction for JAL’s commitment to the best possible
passenger experience.”

“JAL is the first airline to introduce this innovative new service between
the U.K. and Japan,” said Executive Officer and General Manager, Product
Marketing and Development Shunichi Saito. “We are impressed with the ease
of use of the Connexion by Boeing service and are happy to introduce
wireless LAN (WLAN) service since it is easy and provides an equal level
of service to all passengers.”

Initially, high-speed Internet service will be provided every other day in
first, business and economy classes on flights between Tokyo and London.
JAL SkyOnline will also feature a selection of free content, including
news, weather and airline and flight information. During the initial three
months of service, a Connexion by Boeing technology specialist will be
aboard the flights to support Internet use by customers in both English
and Japanese. Going forward, the service will be extended to other
long-haul flights on routes between Japan and Europe and Japan and the
Americas aboard Boeing 747-400 and 777 aircraft.

Connexion by Boeing continues to gain market traction as more air carriers
add in-flight connectivity for their passengers. To ensure a seamless and
familiar experience for passengers, associate service provider agreements
are being established with leading telecommunication companies to allow
their customers to use their existing username and password to gain
Internet access and then receive a single, consolidated billing. Recent
agreements with iPass, NTT DoCoMo, T-Systems, NTT Communications, SingTel,
Starhub and Infonet provide multiple payment options for consumers. In
addition, Connexion recently announced a trial agreement with Vodafone,
one of the world’s largest mobile services provider, aimed at extending
Vodafone’s laptop data mobility services in-flight.

Connexion by Boeing, which sets service pricing, has established a
competitive set of options that provide value and choice for SIA
passengers and others who wish to stay in touch with people and things
important to them. The two initial pricing plans(1), which will vary
depending on flight length, are as follows:

  *  Flat-Rate Pricing Option: (Unlimited access to the Internet) US$29.95
for long-haul flights (more than six hours); US$19.95 for medium-haul
flights (between three and six hours); and US$14.95 for flights less
    than three hours.
  *  Metered Pricing Option: For flights less than 3 hours: 30-minutes
starter package for US$7.95 with rates of US$0.25 per minute
thereafter.  For flights more than 3 hours: 30-minutes starter package
for US$9.95 with rates of US$0.25 per minute thereafter.
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