In-flight Internet to return Q1 2008

[The High Flyer]

Thanks for the update, simong. I eagerly await the return of inflight broadband connection.

[simong]

Some Updates...

Panasonic plans to launch flight testing in the fourth quarter of this year, followed by a phased roll-out from the first to the fourth quarter of 2008, says David Bruner, director of strategic product marketing.

The emerging broadband services are set to be a major talking point at this year's World Airline Entertainment Association show in Toronto, Canada, from 17-20 September.

Initial pricing for long-range international flights is $10.95 for an hour and $21.95 for the whole flight. Panasonic will sell the equipment to the airline and will provide a retail service to the passengers through its partners. "Panasonic has reduced the cost of such a sophisticated system to make it quite affordable and a simple upgrade to our IFE system," says Bruner.

Panasonic says it is in negotiations with several airlines, declining to comment further. The manufacturer is confident it will succeed where Boeing failed, for a number of reasons. "The design of the network is several times more efficient, allowing Panasonic to use much less satellite transponder resources," says Bruner. The aircraft equipment required is also considerably lighter than Connexion's, resulting in less drag, and is also less expensive.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...believers.html

[The High Flyer]

I understand other views given are right in that the internet can make it a better place especially in economy,however i believe that personally (dont kill me for this) its just plain easier sticking with the IFE /book/hoping to fall asleep. That said, i remember having the laptop with COD2 on it, and loved it before the battery died. (was in economy)

I always travel with a spare battery for my Dell Latitude D610. During that flight on which I managed to submit my stuff, my two fully-charged batteries allowed me to do 5 hours of work. I think I even had some time to check some stuff for the coming day ahead of my landing in Narita -- I was on SQ11 then.

[token01]

Hehe thanks High Flyer. I realised that I wasnt doing neither SQTalk, its members and myself justice by typing away without dotting the I's and crossing the T's. So it looks like i was right that the internet would help you Crackberry lot.
I understand other views given are right in that the internet can make it a better place especially in economy,however i believe that personally (dont kill me for this) its just plain easier sticking with the IFE /book/hoping to fall asleep. That said, i remember having the laptop with COD2 on it, and loved it before the battery died. (was in economy)

[The High Flyer]

im leaaaning towards tapei's opinions here, in the sense that apart from checking the usual email, news, sqtalk and facebook, i have no urgency to use the net whilst travelling. I of course dont cover some of you corporate lot, who probably have lots of urgent things to do where the internet would make it easier. However the IFE gives me a chance to watch some movies back to back which is great, since im usually pressed for time on the ground.

I've used Connexion only like 2 or 3 times, and I recall that the last time I accessed it, it was during my busy period (my work is rather seasonal) where I was rushing to finalise some numbers for submission. Having wifi on board allowed me to submit my figures ahead of the deadline.

token01, I see that you've made some efforts to make your writing more legible!

[quik!]

Also it was the ability to chat on MSN and Yahoo Messenger with your friends that made internet onboard your flight a joyous experience.

And Skype chat

[UMD]

Yes, that would be true if the flight was below 6 hours. It'll be truly an enjoyable flight. But try 13 hours and above... in ECONOMY

Also it was the ability to chat on MSN and Yahoo Messenger with your friends that made internet onboard your flight a joyous experience.

[quik!]

first off, i think the price is very reasonable. but one of the things i love about flying is the ability to just get away from the world for several hours- no internet, no email, no nothing. amazingly, in all of the times i've flown, never have i experienced such an urgent matter that it couldn't wait until i touched down. i think it's great that they are offering it, but even if it was only $5, i would rather stick to the IFE and a good book.

Yes, that would be true if the flight was below 6 hours. It'll be truly an enjoyable flight. But try 13 hours and above... in ECONOMY

[quik!]

Great - I'm currently about 6 miles above Afghanistan, travelling at 500 mph and enjoying a nice glass of wine

LOL I did that precisely that time. My mates were like WTF are u on

I really missed those Connexion days...I hope SIA will get the in-flight Internet in Q1 2008!

[nickbot]

Most, if not all of my internet usage on the occasions that I've used Connexion in the past has been non-work - I suppose I'm with quik! on this one, the internet to me is pretty much all the entertainment I need for a 12 hour flight!

The thing I really miss is the ability to log onto MSN and chat with friends, and when they asked how you are, you could say something along the lines of:

Great - I'm currently about 6 miles above Afghanistan, travelling at 500 mph and enjoying a nice glass of wine

[token01]

im leaaaning towards tapei's opinions here, in the sense that apart from checking the usual email, news, sqtalk and facebook, i have no urgency to use the net whilst travelling. I of course dont cover some of you corporate lot, who probably have lots of urgent things to do where the internet would make it easier. However the IFE gives me a chance to watch some movies back to back which is great, since im usually pressed for time on the ground.

[taipeiflyer]

first off, i think the price is very reasonable. but one of the things i love about flying is the ability to just get away from the world for several hours- no internet, no email, no nothing. amazingly, in all of the times i've flown, never have i experienced such an urgent matter that it couldn't wait until i touched down. i think it's great that they are offering it, but even if it was only $5, i would rather stick to the IFE and a good book.

[The High Flyer]

For me the big problem was that SQ's IFE was always just too good so I could not see any point in paying for internet access.

Accessing real-time news and chatting with your loved ones on MSN is something you can't do with the IFE. I would gladly pay the US$26.95 too.

[quik!]

For me the big problem was that SQ's IFE was always just too good so I could not see any point in paying for internet access.

Personal preference really.

For me, I wouldn't be bothered to even touch the IFE if I had the Internet access! It's like a window the the world when you feel "trapped".

[nickbot]

I think the charge is quite reasonable. A 24-hour connection in hotel rooms in the US is usually around 10 USD and more in Asia/Australia.

...and much much more in the UK/Europe I regularly pay around £18.99 (so roughly US$ 37ish I think) for 24 hours.