Boeing in talks with AI, Jet for Connexion

Boeing is in talks with Air India and Jet Airways for installation of its high-speed Internet service, Connexion, on the long-haul flights of these carriers.

Connexion, a proprietary Internet service of Boeing, will help passengers to surf the Net, check e-mails and send pictures while the plane is cruising at over 35,000 feet above sea level.

Connexion director (strategy and business development) Beverly M Wyse said a team from the company had met top officials of Air India and Jet Airways. Boeing had also flown down one of its Internet-enabled planes to Delhi and demonstrated its wireless fidelity capabilities to the carriers.

A contract was yet to be signed with any of the Indian carriers, she said. However, Wyse did not specify an expected timeframe for the signing of the contract, but added that Connexion was yet to hear from the carriers. Boeing had set up Connexion as a separate unit for its Internet and IFE activities.

The company is also planning to talk to other players in the country for setting up Wi-Fi hotspots and providing connectivity in the flights. However, Wyse did not divulge names of players the manufacturer was talking to.

The world's largest commercial aircraft manufacturer is also looking at bagging a contract from these carriers for its in-flight entertainment systems.

With over 600 aircraft operating daily from the country, India is the second largest market after China for Boeing.

The manufacturer expects to rope in a couple of players for its Internet and IFE services, as travellers on long-haul flights tend to use their time effectively.