Boeing's Connexion service reviewed by Tom's Networking
posted March 31st 2005 6:03AM
We've been hearing about Connexion — Boeing's satellite-based inflight WiFi service — for a while, but haven't had a chance to actually try it out (it's not currently available on any U.S. carriers). However, Tom's Networking did put it through its paces, and found that it actually works as advertised. Users were able to surf at roughly DSL speeds, make Skype calls and even conduct video conferences all from the (relative) comfort of their seats. The biggest downside they saw was a familiar one: laptop battery life, especially on the long-haul flights being promoted by Boeing and its partners (currently Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, SAS, ANA, Japan Airlines, China Airlines, El Al, and Korean Air). Of course, if you fly First Class, you can plug your laptop in, something that we assume the airlines are only too happy to have you do.
On British Airways, there is laptop power in World Traveller Plus and Business Class too. (But no plans to roll out Wifi - doh!)
Quantas have power in business too.
My experience with power connectors on United and Luftansa have been less than stellar - the supplied voltage is barely enough to power the unit - the battery still drains down to zero. So when you get off the plane your laptop is empty.
I would say every decent airline has power for laptops in J. I don't know from what airline they do judge that J doesn't have power outlets.
three syllables: seatguru.
you can look up which seats have power connectors even in cattle class (economy). i've been successful with continental, american airlines, and united flights using www.seatguru.com
---fabienne
Using Skype to Skype Out would've been great for those long-haul trips from Chicago to Tokyo and Beijing. Sigh...but now that those adoption runs are done, I can only dream of the next time and attempt to use this great wireless idea then. $30 is not a bad price to pay, either...just over $2 an hour for a Pacific hop.
While exciting and all that, do you really want to sit next to someone who talks (loudly) making Skype calls or video conferencing for 3 - 9 hours? The same can be said for the possibility of cell phone use during flights.
To: mr yuk
Just curious because my boss has had this same problem with his laptop, What happens if you take the battery out during the flight ? Will your laptop operate on the plane supplied power alone ?
To: fabienne
Thanks for the tip!
Did Skype in Feb 2005 on SAS flight from Copenhagen to Chicago... very clear PC to PC.
$29.95 for 7+ hours of use... made the flight go verrrrry fast.
http://vielmetti.typepad.com/vacuum/2005/02/air_skype_free_.html
To: OddManOut
In the manual for the ThinkPads, it mentions that sometimes when the computing power is increased, the adaptor doesn't supply enough power and additional power from the battery is required.
Thus, I am not sure how healthy it would be for laptops to be run without the battery attached.
Does Lufthansa have any way to power my laptop in the economy seats?
Does Lufthansa have any way to power my laptop in the economy seats?