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Boeing In-Flight Internet Connection to be Shut Down

Six years ago, when airline giant, Boeing announced that it was going to introduce in flight internet connection, the travel industry was abuzz with the prospects of this new venture. Industry analysts predicted that this was the next Big Thing in international travel ? putting an end to boring travel time and increasing advertising markets worldwide. Boeing invested considerable time, resources and finances into its Connexion in flight internet service and things were looking good, initially.

Unfortunately, the general public didn?t take too well to this new change and somehow, despite intense marketing and promotion, the Connexion service couldn?t quite take off. Finally, in August of this year, Boeing was forced to admit defeat and announced that it would be selling or discontinuing this service and that the company would be exiting the high-speed broadband communications connectivity markets.

The Connexion service is to be gradually phased out during 2007 and, until then, Boeing announced that it would offer the service for free until the end of 2006. Market analysts agree that the system is, essentially, an excellent idea (especially for economy class travelers who need to while away 8 or more hours on average), although the timing is not quite right in the market. It is predicted that Boeing?s Connexion will be the blueprint for future in flight internet services and, until then, passengers will have to find other, more creative ways, to keep themselves busy in the air.