The aircraft manufacturer Boeing has reportedly “stolen a march” on its rival Airbus by making the first move towards offering all its passengers broadband internet access.
According to The Guardian, 50 Boeing aircraft will offer internet access by the end of the year, with 150 doing so by the end of 2005. The link is provided by a series of satellites.
The newspaper reports that Lufthansa, the first carrier to take advantage of the system, is offering the service for a price of USD29.95 per flight and will launch the service on a flight from Munich to Los Angeles today. The German carrier is reportedly hoping to equip its entire long-haul fleet by early 2006.
British Airways is said to be in “protracted” talks with Boeing over the possibility of offering the same service.
Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad
