Boeing

Connexion by Boeing, a business unit of The Boeing Company, (NYSE: BA) continues to solidify its leadership in providing secure, high-speed, in-flight Internet and e-mail connectivity for travelers worldwide. As 2004 draws to a close, Connexion is demonstrating its commitment to put airlines and their passengers first with expanded availability on 10 new routes, including six U.S. destinations; more than 160 corporate agreements; and eight roaming agreements with major Internet service providers and mobile telephone companies around the world.

"While 2004 marked the successful launch of our commercial global service, we look forward to continuing the evolution of our service offerings in 2005 and beyond," said Connexion by Boeing Vice President of Commercial Airline Business Stan Deal. "For example, passengers can expect to see the rollout of new offerings, such as TV, and enhanced support for a broad array of services in an effort to enhance their in-flight experience."

In its year-end report on "Ten Emerging Wireless Players to Watch in 2005," IDC - a market intelligence and advisory firm - portrayed Connexion by Boeing as a company that could make a huge impact on the wireless marketplace. "The potential value the Connexion by Boeing service represents, especially to mobile professionals, is substantial," stated Keith Waryas of IDC Research. "They are the first and only provider to offer broadband speeds at prices which are very competitive - plus their recent roaming agreements provide users with a 'start to finish' experience that is completely seamless."

Connexion by Boeing Spreads Its Wings

Since the commercial service launch in May providing real-time, WiFi-based, high-speed Internet connectivity on a commercial flight route for Lufthansa German Airlines passengers, Connexion by Boeing has rapidly extended the availability of its real-time data communications services on more flights to additional cities. Lufthansa, which is outfitting its entire long-haul fleet with the Connexion by Boeing service, recently introduced in-flight connectivity on eight new routes between Germany, the U.S., Asia and Europe.

Connexion by Boeing also has signed definitive service agreements with China Airlines and Singapore Airlines, joining other airlines such as Lufthansa, ANA (All Nippon Airways), Japan Airlines, and SAS (Scandinavian Airlines). In addition, Connexion has preliminary agreements with Korean Air, Asiana Airlines and two unannounced airline customers. Service is, or soon will be, available on the following routes:

Connexion by Boeing currently has agreements in place with more than 160 global corporate customers to provide their traveling employees with high-speed Internet connectivity on flights that are equipped with the service. Siemens signed on with Connexion by Boeing to become its first global customer for real-time, high-speed, in-flight Internet services giving 200,000 traveling Siemens employees the choice to remain connected in the air. Through Connexion's vast array of roaming agreements, both corporations and business travelers can now have a seamless user experience by logging into the Connexion by Boeing service via providers such as iPass Inc, InfoNet, NTT DoCoMo Inc., T-Systems, StarHub, NTT Communications, and Singtel - and simply using a familiar user-name, password and Web interface.

"I fly on more than 15 international flights and 10 domestic flights per year for business and being out of touch for an entire day during just one of these flights traveling can have a huge impact on my business," said Andreas Binz, director of Materials, Purchase and Logistics for Türk+Türk Electronic GMBH. "Using the Connexion by Boeing service for high-speed access to my e-mail, project files and corporate VPN has freed me up to be just as productive in the air as I am in my office."

This growing desire among mobile professionals to optimize their in-flight experience coincides with an expected upsurge in business-related flying in 2005. According to the recent 2005 American Express Business Traveler Survey, "economic recovery is fueling business travel demand around the world, with particularly strong demand between Europe and North America, South America, and across the Pacific."