Lufthansa Bringing New, Improved Wi Fi and Cell Service to Its Flights

Technology has certainly improved the long-distance flight. With your own personal LCD screen showing the movie or television show of the day and a host of free radio stations at your side, the five hours spent commuting across the country have never been faster or more comfortable. As airlines add services like in-flight Wi Fi and cell coverage, the passenger’s options are expanded even further and the flight is sure to be over before it’s hardly begun. According to a story in the Wall Street Journal, Lufthansa will soon be offering new-and-improved cell phone service and Wi Fi on its long-distance flights, which will include all-access Internet and voice. Over the next few months, Lufthansa intends to partner with Panasonic to offer its FlyNet services on flights between Europe and North America. Later, they will expand the services to all of Lufthansa’s flights.

Of course, there are several drawbacks to the new service. First is price. Phone calls are expected to run $3/minute, while Internet access will be $12 per hour or $22 for the day. These prices are well above the less-comprehensive services offered by competing airlines. One more inherent disadvantage is that airplane that was once a reprieve from the work day is now a mobile office. One will likely spend a lot more time crunching numbers, submitting reports and keeping in touch with contacts rather than sipping margaritas and taking a long-overdue nap. Technology certainly is a double-edged sword. [via Electronista] [Photo: Kossy@Finneday]