Boingo hops onto Boeing Connexion

In-flight Wi-Fi roaming

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

Posted in Wireless, 12th May 2005 12:51 GMT

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US Wi-Fi hotspot aggregator Boingo has added Boeing's in-flight connectivity service, Connexion, to its list of roaming partners.

Connexion isn't cheap - access for a full six-hour plus flight will set you back $30. With Boingo selling a 24-hour pass for $10, that's potentially a big saving.

We note Boingo's small print that "premium international locations" may levy alternative pricing schemes, so Connexion may prove no less expensive going through the aggregator. However, there's nothing in the company's press statement or its website to suggest aircrafts count as "premium international locations".

Boingo is offering a free $30 in-flight connection to anyone who commits to its $22-a-month subscription package for at least three months.

Connexion is now available on a range of Lufthansa flights, between the US, Asia and both Munich and Frankfurt. ANA and JAL offer it on London-Tokyo routes, with both bringing it to their Tokyo-New York runs soon too. Singapore Airlines is rolling the service out on its London-Singapore flights, and Korean Air plans to start offering Connexion on various flights between Seoul and the US this month. China Airlines and El Al have committed to equipping their aircraft with Connexion, but have yet to offer it to the public.

Connexion already has roaming deals with Vodafone, NTT DoCoMo and T-Systems. ®