Lufthansa

Connexion by Boeing is long dead. Now SITA and Airbus are trying a similar venture - Called OnAir - to allow passengers Internet access and - unfortunately - mobile phone access while en route to their destination.

Personally, I love to have Internet access on a long haul flight. But mobile phones? Please. I can’t imagine that a hundred stupid passengers calling their relatives would make for a relaxing flight. They’d have meaningful conversations like:

“We are on our way to Thailand!” (Yes, well, so you are one of a million, who gives a damn?)

“Yeah we are now over the ocean!” (And have been for an hour you baffoon…)

“Oh the food is terrible!” (Now there’s news…)

“This plane is really full, and we don’t have much room for our feet!” (Tell me about it…)

“Susy sends her regards!” (Can’t she just write a postcard instead of annoying me?)

Lufthansa have got it right. They’ve recognized that most (intelligent?) passengers would rather have their peace and quiet, and won’t allow mobile phones to be used on their flights.

After announcement of the planned shut-down of Connexion there is some bright news for us geeks who would not want to be cut off from the rest of the world while vacationing.

Lufthansa Systems will install internet- and entertainment systems on AIDA cruise ships, the company announced in a press release.

The system will provide passengers with Internet access from their cabins, which will also offer travel information and the opportunity to book excursions. The entertainment system will offer radio, tv, and on-demand movies and audio. The entire system will use satellite based connections.

The technology was originally developed for the FlyNet platform, which provided wireless Internet service on board of Lufthansa planes. LH Systems is partnering with Tomorrow Focus AG for the content, and with Meyer Werft for the hardware.

Lufthansa CEO Wolfgang Mayerhuber told the German magazine ‘Capital’ that the airline does not intend to allow the use of mobile phone during flights. The Lufthansa boss likened mobile phone use to smoking, which is also prohibited as it would disturb other passengers.

As someone who enjoys peace and quiet above the clouds, I can only welcome this…