Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) will add four channels of live television this month to SAS Net Access, its in-flight high-speed wireless Internet service.Beginning January 23, SAS passengers on flights between the U.S. and Scandinavia will be able to view live programs on their computers from CNBC/MSNBC, BBC World, EuroNews and Eurosportnews.

Since March, SAS passengers have been able to access the Internet and e-mail during flights through SAS Net Access, a wireless high-speed Internet service provided by Connexion by Boeing (CBB). More than 26,000 SAS passengers used the service in 2005 (through November 30).

SAS is the only airline to offer high-speed wireless Internet access on all of its long-haul flights. SAS operates non-stop service from New York (EWR), Washington, D.C., Chicago and Seattle to its hubs at Copenhagen and Stockholm, and also serves five cities in Asia from Copenhagen, with Airbus A340 and A330 aircraft.

Effective January 31, SAS Net Access will be priced at $9.95 for one hour of use, $14.95 for two hours, $17.95 for three hours or $26.95 for 24 hours of unlimited use during flights, including connecting flights.

According to surveys of passengers of the several airlines providing the service by Connexion by Boeing, 90% of onboard users send and receive e-mail to catch up on work, 74% surf the Internet and 41% stay in touch with family and friends.

“Initially, we found differences in the levels of usage depending on whether travelers were flying to or from Copenhagen, the main SAS hub in Scandinavia,” said SAS V.P. The Americas Sveneric Persson.

“On flights to Copenhagen, Seattle, Chicago and New York top the usage figures. On flights from Copenhagen, the highest numbers of Net Access users are traveling to Seattle, Tokyo and Beijing.”

In CBB surveys, two-thirds of users said they would “definitely” use the service again, and 47% said the availability of high speed Internet service would have a major impact on their future choice of airline.
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