Boeing

Asiana Airlines, one of the newest members of the Star Alliance, has selected Connexion by Boeing as its provider of high-speed Internet-based communications onboard its long-haul fleet. The letter of intent agreement calls for the first installation of the Connexion by Boeing^SM mobile connectivity service to commence in production on Asiana's 777-200ER airplane targeted for delivery in July 2005, with service starting shortly after that. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Asiana Airlines, which recently celebrated its 16th anniversary and first anniversary with the Star Alliance, services one of the world's most technologically advanced populations. South Korea has the world's strongest acceptance rates for broadband access per household, with 75 percent of homes having either DSL or cable connectivity.

"We are extremely pleased that Asiana is demonstrating its strong commitment to passenger service by choosing Connexion by Boeing," said Scott Carson, Connexion by Boeing president. "This service is especially fitting for Asiana's passengers, as South Korea has the highest broadband penetration rate in the world. The high-speed connectivity that Asiana passengers experience in their homes and offices now will be available to them at 37,000 feet," Carson said. "Connexion by Boeing truly adds value for Asiana's passengers, and also for the airline through enhanced operational efficiencies."

"Choosing Connexion by Boeing to address the in-flight communication needs of our passengers very much aligns with our goal to become recognized by our customers as the best airline in the world," said Byung-Wui, Ghil, executive vice president of purchasing for Asiana Airlines. "Our passengers are used to surfing the Internet and sending and receiving e-mail messages while on the ground. With Connexion, this innovative, new high-speed service will provide additional choices that our passengers now demand while in-flight."

Representatives from Asiana and Connexion by Boeing are now working to define the levels of service that will be offered to the airline's passengers, as well as a schedule for the installation of the service on the airline's aircraft. Asiana also is determining the initial passenger routes for the service, which are likely to include flights between Korea and the United States; Korea and Europe; and intra-Asian routes, including mainland China and Japan.