German airline Lufthansa will today unveil the most extensive array of mobile phone and Internet services available on any air carrier, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The service - dubbed FlyNet - is being offered in partnership with Panasonic and will allow passengers on international flights not only to make calls and send emails whilst in the air, but also access the Web and download videos at faster speeds than currently available.
The report notes that the service will initially be available on routes between the US and Europe and will eventually expand to its entire fleet of more than 120 long-haul jetliners. The article claims that Lufthansa is committed to investing tens of millions of dollars to make the launch of FlyNet a success, with the company considering subsidising future operations. Calls are expected to cost passengers at least US$3 a minute. Internet connections are likely to cost US$12 an hour or US$22 for a full day of airborne connectivity, roughly 30 percent less than Lufthansa charged for a previous failed foray into the market.
Providing such connectivity is becoming a competitive game, with many airlines experimenting with inflight services. However, the majority of development to date has focused on voice and text messaging, with less capability for full-blown Internet access. The business model for such services remains unproven, although airlines are eager to see the service succeed as they look to increase revenues amid the aviation industry's worst slump in decades.
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