British Airways passengers today were, for the first time able to go on-line in the air when the Connexion by Boeing broadband system went live.

Passengers simply plugged their laptops into the Internet connections at their seats and logged on as they normally would in the office or at home. They then accessed their personal and work emails, corporate intranets and the web.
For the duration of the three month trial passengers in First, Club World and World Traveller Plus will be able to keep in contact with work colleagues, family and friends through real time broadband email and internet access.

The trial is taking place onboard one British Airways 747-400 aircraft, which operates services between London’s Heathrow and New York’s JFK airports.
Martin George, British Airways’ director of marketing said; “The research that we undertook before starting the trial showed that there was a strong interest from our passengers. This is a huge step forward in innovation and we’re pleased to be involved with Connexion from such an early stage.”

Connexion by Boeing President Scott Carson
added, “We are extremely pleased that British Airways has embraced the added value that high-speed connectivity can bring to their passengers, as well as to their operations. Working together, we’ve given the Internet wings on a significant travel route connecting Europe and the U.S. and empowered British Airways’ passengers with the ability to choose how they entertain themselves and stay informed during flight.”
Following the trial, customer reaction will be considered before a decision is made as to whether Connexion by Boeing
will be installed across the British Airways long-haul fleet.

Related stories on ITN:
(15/01/2002) Lufthansa launches Broadband Internet on Board

(29/11/2002) SAS Selects Connexion By Boeing As Mobile Connectivity Service Provider

(23/07/2002) Japan Airlines Signs Agreement to Be Asian Launch Customer For Connexion by Boeing

(24/07/2002) BA Connects With Connexion: BA`s Perspective

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