Surfin' The Web At 35,000 Feet

Almost two years behind schedule, plagued by 9/11 and its effect on Boeing customers, Connexion is finally ready for launch. The Boeing subsidiary will make its maiden flights aboard Lufthansa starting later this month, on aircraft scheduled to spend more than eight hours in the air.

But the question is, frankly, who wants it?

The answer may very well lie in first and business class on long-haul domestic and international flights. At least, that's what industry analysts say.

"I think Boeing is at the cutting edge of what is probably going to be the next breakthrough in in-flight amenities," said aviation consultant Mike Boyd. "It may get to a point where for business travelers, they won't go on an airline that doesn't have it."

But that's a long time away, especially given that Connexion lost its three most trusted allies in the fallout after the 2001 terrorist attacks. American, Delta and United all bowed out as passenger seat-miles tumbled and red ink spilled on the floor.

Connexion charges range from $9.95 per half-hour to $29.95 for service during the entire flight (check your battery life before you go full-boat, though).

Analysts (yeah, those guys again) say the wired or wireless internet service (so far, carriers expressing an interest in Connexion have all asked for wireless) probably won't be much of an attraction for coach travelers, since they generally have trouble just opening their laptops with their knees under their chins.

"This is a business- and first-class thing — and conceivably someone who's in premium economy and desperate," said Richard Aboulafia, an analyst with Teal Group. That's a big question, given that business travel is just now making a rather tentative comeback. "There's a percentage of the population that will pay $30 for relatively free and clear Web access. It's not big, but their ambitions aren't that big. That's probably why it survived."

FMI: www.connexionbyboeing.com