AS of late January, Lufthansa passengers have been able to receive four live television channels on board directly on their laptops.
Depending on the region of the world, BBC World, CNBC, Euro news or MSNBC can be picked up via satellite. This is being made possible by Lufthansa FlyNet with its high-speed Internet provided by its partner and service-provider Connexion by Boeing. The trend-setting service had its world premiere almost exactly three years ago, as a trial on Lufthansa’s Frankfurt-Washington route. Lufthansa FlyNet has been an integral part of the long-distance service since 17th May 2004, when the Munich-Los Angeles route was the first to herald in the new technological age. Currently, 50 long-haul aircraft are already equipped. Lufthansa thus has the world’s largest Internet fleet at its disposal. By the end of next year, the entire long-range fleet with more than 80 aircraft is planned to be equipped with Lufthansa FlyNet. The service includes the free Lufthansa-FlyNet portal which the airline runs in cooperation with Tomorrow Focus AG. It has more than 1000 pages, among other things with news updates every hour, travel information and shopping opportunities. From the FlyNet portal, the passenger has access to the Connexion by Boeing service for which a fee is charged.
The Connexion by Boeing service is available today on more than 170 daily flights offered by Lufthansa, SAS, Japan Airlines, ANA, Singapore Airlines, China Airlines, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines and El Al Israel Airlines. In addition, Etihad Airways and Austrian Airlines will begin offering the innovative service in the months ahead.
Lufthansa does Doha-Frankfurt
Lufthansa now operates direct flights between Doha and Frankfurt. The airline will offer three weekly flights via Kuwait, becoming the third European carrier to serve the Qatari capital, said a report in the Peninsula.
Doha is currently served by two other European carriers, British Airways and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. The new flights, operated with a 221-seat Airbus A330, will depart from Frankfurt at 12.55pm local time every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The flights will arrive in Doha at 10.10pm local time. The return flights depart Doha on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 10 minutes past midnight to arrive at Frankfurt at 6.30am, local time.