Boeing connects business travellers in the air

Boeing, the civil aircraft manufacturer, has announced plans to offer a variety of communication services for business travellers whilst airborne.

Boeing is a first aircraft manufacturer to offer two-way satellite-based broadband services, which will include e-mail, Internet, corporate intranet, television and even video conferencing.

The system, to be called Connexion by Boeing, will be introduced to Domestic US flights at the end of this year and subsequently to European flights. The price for using the service will be between $10 and $20 an hour.

Boeing's partners for this venture are Loral Space and Communication, a US manufacturer of satellites, Finmeccanica, an Italian aircraft designer and the Japanese Mitsubishi.