Austrian Airlines, a leading European airline based in Vienna and Star Alliance member focused on providing the highest passenger standards, Connexion by Boeing, a business unit of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), today announced the signing of an agreement for the installation of real-time, high-speed Internet service on the air carrier's long-haul fleet.
The agreement calls for the initial installation of the Connexion by Boeing service aboard seven of Austrian Airline's Boeing 777 (3) and Boeing 767 (4) aircraft, with an undisclosed number of additional options. Installations will begin in early 2006 and, as they are completed, the Connexion by Boeing service will be introduced on select long-haul routes. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed and launch routes will be announced at a future date.
"Austrian Airlines is a progressive, passenger-focused airline that is looking toward the future and recognizes the benefits that high-speed connectivity can bring to its in-flight experience," said Connexion by Boeing President Laurette Koellner. "We are pleased that Connexion by Boeing has been selected as the Internet connectivity service provider of choice for another Star Alliance member airline and we look forward to the role we'll play in helping them achieve their marketing objectives."
"Austrian Airlines is proud to be among the first Europe-based airlines to provide its passengers with high-speed in-flight Internet service," said Austrian Airlines Chief Executive Officer Vagn Soerensen. "Our agreement with Connexion by Boeing ensures our passengers will have the latest technology at their fingertips, allowing them to connect to the world in-flight beginning in the very near future."
About Austrian Airlines
The Austrian Airlines Group consists of the three carriers Austrian, Austrian arrows (operated by Tyrolean) and Lauda Air which have received numerous awards for their exceptional service and quality during the last several years. In order to meet the demands of the passengers, the carriers constantly improve their product and services and offer a dense network of short-haul connections as well as many long-haul destinations, from business destinations to leisure spots. The current network comprises 130 destinations in 66 countries on all continents.
Apart from the traditionally strong presence in Western Europe, the Austrian Airlines Group has continuously expanded its network in Central and Eastern Europe due to the geographical position and the historical ties. Today it offers 41 destinations in this economic area - more than any other Western European carrier.
Austrian Airlines Group specializes in West-East /East-West-Transfer, and traffic from and to Austria. This strategy is supported by the Star Alliance membership and the efficient hub Vienna. The world-spanning network of Star Alliance even offers its passengers more than 800 destinations. The Austrian Airlines Group fleet comprises 100 aircraft. With an average age of only seven years, the fleet is one of the youngest in the world.
About Connexion by Boeing
Connexion by Boeing is, for the second year running, the recipient of the World Travel Award for World's Leading High-Speed In-flight Internet Services Provider. It was recently named one of the wireless companies to watch in 2005 by IDC wireless services analysts, and is the recipient of Network Magazine's Innovation Awards 2005 honor for "Product Breakthrough." Through a broadband connection to an equipped aircraft, high-speed Internet, data and entertainment connectivity is delivered directly to travelers in flight. The Connexion by Boeing service is available today on flights offered by Lufthansa, SAS, Japan Airlines, ANA and Singapore Airlines. In addition, China Airlines, Korean Air, El Al, Asiana and Etihad will begin offering the high-speed service on their long-range aircraft in the very near future. Connexion by Boeing also offers a high-speed connectivity solution for the business aviation and maritime markets and recently announced the launch customer for this portion of its business.
Connexion by Boeing has agreements in place with more than 500 corporations worldwide and also has established wireless roaming agreements with 15 associate service providers. Through these agreements business and leisure travelers are able to connect to the Worldwide Web through an established account with Connexion by Boeing, or use the roaming platforms of their existing wireless providers (if they have a agreement with Connexion by Boeing) to further simplify their methods of payment. For more information, please visit www.connexionbyboeing.com.