Posted
Dec 10 2007, 03:46 AM
by
Kim Peterson
Boeing shut down its ambitious onboard WiFi project last year, saying that after six years of work it couldn't find enough airlines who would offer the service to its customers. The service, called Connexion, provided e-mail, Web and TV during flights, with costs that ranged from $15 for less than three hours to $30 for a full day. It was mainly offered on non-U.S. airlines, and people who used it raved. But analysts said the service, which cost $150 million a year to run, was only used by 1,000 people a day across 125 commercial planes.
Boeing was too hasty in killing Connexion. U.S. airlines are slowly embracing free WiFi service, hoping to lure customers who want to send e-mails and instant messages from 30,000 feet. JetBlue is launching its WiFi trial tomorrow on just one plane, becoming the first U.S. carrier to do so. American, Virgin and Alaska plan to roll out service next year.
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