Singapore Airlines to offer Live TV and High Speed Connectivity In-Flight

Singapore Airlines and Connexion by Boeing have signed a definitive service agreement for the installation of high-speed, in-flight Internet service on the carrier’s long-haul fleet.

This agreement positions SIA, the world’s leading commercial airline, as one of the first carriers to offer real-time broadband service for its passengers. SIA will achieve another world’s first in 2005 when it brings live international TV on board, beamed through Connexion by Boeing to passengers’ laptops.

Passengers using the Connexion by Boeing service aboard equipped SIA aircraft will be able to connect real-time to their corporate virtual private networks, send and receive emails and surf the Internet while in the air. Passengers will also be introduced to a whole new era of in-flight entertainment when live international TV is made available in mid-2005. The exciting channel lineup will initially include four international news channels, with sports content to be added at a later date.

SIA plans to initially offer the Connexion by Boeing service on its Singapore-London route in the first quarter of next year and eventually expand the capability to selected flights worldwide.

“This strategic move by Singapore Airlines helps ensure that its passengers will be at the forefront of the in-flight connectivity revolution,” said Connexion by Boeing President Scott Carson. “We commend Singapore Airlines for its leadership in the development of its CyberCabinTM concept and providing passengers with additional choices for how to spend their time in flight. We look forward to working together with them to add an exciting new element to their in-cabin passenger services.”

"The possibilities for our customers are truly endless. Passengers can choose to work, play or surf the Internet on-board and watch live TV from the comfort of their seats. And this is over and above the over 400 entertainment options that we already feature on our flights,” said Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice-President, Product and Services, Yap Kim Wah, “Our partnership with Connexion by Boeing is an excellent example of how we embrace technology to bring more lifestyle choices to our valued customers."

Connexion by Boeing, which sets service pricing, has established a competitive set of options that provide value and choice for SIA passengers and others who wish to stay in touch with people and things important to them. The two initial pricing plans, which will vary depending on flight length, are as follows:

• Flat-Rate Pricing Option: (Unlimited access to the Internet) US$29.95 for long-haul flights (more than six hours); US$19.95 for medium-haul flights (between three and six hours); and US$14.95 for flights less than three hours.

• Metered Pricing Option: For flights less than 3 hours: 30-minutes starter package for US$7.95 with rates of US$0.25 per minute thereafter. For flights more than 3 hours: 30-minutes starter package for US$9.95 with rates of US$0.25 per minute thereafter.

In addition, Connexion by Boeing is establishing associate service provider agreements with leading mobile service providers worldwide, including SingTel and StarHub in Singapore.

Mr. Yap added, “We are delighted to have the endorsement of Singtel and Starhub, which will make wireless surfing as convenient in the air as it is on the ground.”

The partnership with the telecoms will enable airline passengers to use their existing wireless services user identifications and passwords to access the mobile Internet service in-flight. Passengers choosing to do so will receive their in-flight Internet access billing as an add-on to their existing wireless bill.

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