Scandinavian Airlines to offer in-flight wireless

STOCKHOLM -- Scandinavian Airlines has signed a contract with Connexion by Boeing for the installation of wireless broadband on board. Installation will begin in February 2004 and the entire long-haul fleet will be equipped a year later, the airline announced.

According to the agreement, 11 SAS long-haul aircraft will be equipped with leading-edge wireless technology that will allow airline passengers to access the Connexion by Boeing service. An undisclosed number of options for expansion of the service onto additional SAS aircraft also are part of the agreement. Service installations will commence in early 2004, while aircraft model types and flight routes will be determined in the months ahead. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

All SAS passengers will be able to connect their portable PCs or PDAs and use Internet online, including, for example, streaming audio/video. Those who want to log on to their company’s intranet and send and receive e-mail with attachments via the Internet will also be able to do so more securely.

Customers' demands

"The Nordic region is one of the world’s most IT-dense areas and the ability to communicate easily from the air was high on our passengers’ list of priorities," says Jens Willumsen, who is responsible for Market & Product Management at Scandinavian Airlines. "This is why we have been working for a long time to achieve a complete solution that meets our customers’ demands."

In preparation for the wireless service, Connexion and Scandinavian Airlines are working on payment options that will allow passengers to have full access to the Internet. Payment will be by credit card or various forms of subscription. Using a SAS portal, travelers will also receive free access to services that facilitate their journey and selected corporate partners will also be able to offer their services.

Scandinavian Airlines says it will be the first airline in the world to invest exclusively in wireless technology (IEEE 802.11-standard) for Internet on board.

"We have long understood the benefits of wireless technology and since it is now making progress, it was an even more natural choice," said Jens Willumsen. "Scandinavian Airlines was also first in the world to introduce wireless access to its lounges in 1999."

Information security is established in the same way as on the ground and users can securely log on to their companies’ intranets using Virtual Private Network technology. The new system is designed not to interfere with the other technology on board.

Simplicity of wireless

"The future for wireless connectivity in the cabin is now, and SAS has demonstrated its leadership by embracing the technology and the added value that real-time connectivity can bring to its passengers," said Connexion by Boeing President Scott Carson. "This agreement is a significant step in the history of aviation, one which helps to further densify the North Atlantic corridor and clearly marks a major transition from complex, hard-wired cabin configurations to the simplicity of wireless networks. The result will be long-term value for airlines and their passengers."

Once an airliner is equipped with the Connexion by Boeing service, SAS passengers will have the ability to use wireless-enabled laptops or personal electronic devices (PEDs) for real-time, high-speed access to the Internet including two-way e-mail, virtual private network access and streaming audio and video content, by accessing an open wireless local area network onboard. The evolution of Wi-Fi technology into commercial airliners is expected to help simplify cabin distribution, reduce costs, and eliminate wires associated with traditional hard-wired connections. 

SAS also is expected to benefit from increased operational efficiencies through weight and power reductions, and reduced aircraft down time for system installation.

Marketplace momentum

Connexion by Boeing continues to gain momentum in the marketplace as it prepares for the introduction of commercial service in early 2004. The Boeing team continues to work the global regulatory process, complete and certify the next-generation antenna and define the satellite and ground-based networks that will help broaden the availability of broadband connectivity in flight.

Connexion by Boeing is the mobile information services provider bringing high-speed Internet, data and entertainment connectivity to mobile travelers. The service is currently available today to operators of private and executive aircraft in the U.S. The Boeing business unit recently announced a definitive service agreement with Lufthansa to equip its fleet of long-haul aircraft with the service beginning in early 2004. In addition to a successful service demonstration with British Airways and the service agreement with SAS, Japan Airlines also has announced its intent to install the Connexion by Boeing service on its long-range aircraft.