Lufthansa brings broadband Inflight Internet to European flights

Up to 10,000 ft, Deutsche Telekom’s network will cover the planes, but once the aircraft reaches 10,000ft, the ground network will be combined with the satellite connectivity.

Under the partnership, Inmarsat, the FTSE 100-listed satellite communications company, will provide “pan-European” satellite coverage, while Deutsche Telekom will supply the 4G. Building on this relationship, Lufthansa will run a flight trial programme of the new LTE/satellite service from 2017 onwards.

Norwegian airlines have it right, offering broadband to travellers for free. This means, passengers on Lufthansa’s continental flights and flights within Germany will get net access from next year.

“This bold step will make Deutsche Telekom the first telecommunications operator to take the advantages of LTE technology to the European airspace and fits perfectly into our strategy to become the leading European telco”, explains Tim Höttges, CEO of Deutsche Telekom.

It’s not clear how many Lufthansa narrowbodies will have been fitted with GX by the time the hybrid is ready.

Lufthansa will add inflight Internet to its domestic and European flights from the middle of 2016. You’d think, in 2015, everyone would be on it, but alas not.

Inmarsat will combine its satellites with a Deutsche Telekom ground network to provide high-speed Internet to air travelers, according to a statement from Inmarsat today (Sept 21).

The German flag-carrier will be the first airline to use the US$1.6 billion Global Xpress system.

However, Lufthansa says its service will be based on the most modern technology available and may be fast enough to offer streaming of videos.

Deutsche Lufthansa AG is an aviation company.

Naturally, this being an airline, they’re going to charge for it, and as yet, they haven’t decided how much. The work will not only include installation activities, but also all tasks required in terms of aviation and licensing law, says the airline.