Connexion by Boeing Makes First Airline Connection

A technician installs the first Connexion antenna for an airline.

The first installation of Connexion by Boeing antennas on a commercial jetliner, a Lufthansa 747-400, is being carried out by Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg, Germany.

Lufthansa will use the Boeing 747-400 for a three-month live trial of Connexion by Boeing service beginning in late 2002.

The Connexion by Boeing service will provide broadband satellite links between the aircraft and ground services, allowing the flow of massive amounts of data. With this Lufthansa aims to show it is possible to for passengers to have live email and Internet facilities while airborne, as well as live TV.

Current airborne email and Internet services are limited by the transmission capabilities of narrowband antennae. Connexion by Boeing has already been installed on VIP aircraft.