Boeing's Connexion high-speed broadband communications system scored big points with a top airline executive here yesterday when he stopped by the "Connection by Boeing" exhibit. Using the live demonstrator Boeing has set up, including transponder and phased array antenna, the executive took care of all his e-mail and happily went on his way, according to Phil Condit, Boeing chairman and CEO.

There's a working Connexion system in the Boeing Business Jet on the static line, too. Initially, Connexion is to provide two-way broadband reception to airborne passengers and crew at 5 mbs and 1.0 mbs rate when transmitting. Condit, a frequent Connexion user when travelling on Boeing executive jets, said it was "like having a T-1 line in the sky."

By Paul Proctor