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In-flight Broadband Internet Access Trial's Success

Posted by Hemos on from the making-the-connection dept.

flash_cube writes "Boeing Co.'s 'Connexion' business unit finally demoed its in-flight WiFi (802.11b) service this weekend ... even as (noted in this previous /. article) struggling U.S. carriers pull out of the joint venture. Still Boeing promises availability on other airlines in 'early 2003.'"

1 of 133 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Yeah but... by mlush · · Score: 4, Informative
    What I cant understand is why it has to be Wi-fi in a plane? I mean aren't you supposed to sit down all the time?

    On an airliner WiFi wins over wired because:

    Wires are heavy the few hundred meters of cable required hubs etc would weigh much more than a WiFi rig, every extra kilo costs fuel every time the plane flys. After fitting the WiFi hubs only users add weight (ie the adaptor cards)

    WiFi is cheap to fit, just lob the boxes in and configure, wired installation would need to be done during a big refit and would require skilled fitters to string the wires (more cost!)

    WiFi is cheap to remove (you really don't want deadweight on a airliner!)

    I recall hearing that an 'airline' was playing with fuel numbers and found that if the crew did not wear shoes on their flights they could save $200,000/year in fuel, can anyone provide a source for that?