Lufthansa installs flying offices

Restrictions lifted on the use of laptops with CD-ROM drives and CD players on board – Innovative power supply for laptops on long-haul flights


Lufthansa passengers can now use laptops with CD-ROM drives and CD players on aircraft in cruising altitudes. Lufthansa guests on board, as well as those of Lufthansa CityLine and Condor may also use CD players. Tests have shown that these devices can now be classified as safe. Lufthansa's decision to ease restrictions follows recent changes to the German regulations (LuftEBV) on the operation of electronic equipment on aircraft. During take-off and landing, however, all electronic equipment must remain completely switched off.

In addition, Lufthansa is now providing a direct, on-board power supply for laptops. A new system enables a direct connection without the usual need for an adaptor. Every seat in First and Business Class on Lufthansa's long-range aircraft is now fitted with its own socket, which fits the standard European flat plugs as well as the two or three-pin US plugs. The system, which was developed jointly with the aviation company KID-Systeme in Buxtehude (Germany), has already been installed on virtually all Lufthansa Boeing B747s and Airbus A340s.

Use permitted at cruising altitude: Laptop (with CD-ROM/DVD drive), Walkman, MP3 player, CD player, Mini disc player, Gameboy and Video camcorder.

Use not permitted on board: Mobile telephone, Radio set, Radio controlled equipment, cordless mouse, minidisc recorder in record mode, printer and CD ROM recorder.