LH Launches FlyNet

Lufthansa is providing value additions by becoming the first airline in the world to provide broadband connectivity that allows travellers to connect to the Internet, making the aircraft a flying communication centre some 30, 000 feet up in the sky. FlyNet is the name of this new broadband Internet connectivity offered by Lufthansa onboard. “FlyNet offers passengers Unlimited surfing of the web, extensive and up to date information through news media, allows users to send and receive emails with attachments in real-time and allows access to the corporate intranet or e-mail, Medical and operational applications,” said Werner Heesen, GM - passenger sales and director South Asia.

FlyNet will be available in India along with the New Business Class products on the Airbus 340-300 to be flown on the New Delhi-Munich route from June. It will be made available on all the three classes. “The service was free to all passengers on the Lufthansa flights throughout the trial period from mid 2004. The airline expects to start charging between US$ 32 - $38 per flight leg for the Internet access. Passengers will be able to redeem bonus miles through the airlines Miles & More programme to surf the web,” said Heesen. Lufthansa is confident about the FlyNet technology because it is equipping its entire long-range fleet of about 80 aircraft including Boeing 747-400s, Airbus A330s and A340s with FlyNet. “Even during transit, passengers will be able to take advantage of advanced, high-speed communications, as all 55 Lufthansa airport lounges at 30 destinations are being equipped with Wireless LAN Internet access. All will be completed by 2006,” said Pinto.