Lufthansa Airlines will offer onboard broadband services for passengers travelling on transatlantic flights. As per the announcement, the airline has made available FlyNet, an online broadband communication on Lufthansa’s Frankfurt - New York and Frankfurt - Detroit routes. According to the company release, Lufthansa has partnered with Panasonic Avionics Corporation and Deutsche Telekom, to offer its customers broadband Internet access on intercontinental routes. As per the introductory offer, inflight Internet access will be available for free on FlyNet-equipped aircrafts until January 31, 2011 and by the end 2011 services will be available on the entire Lufthansa intercontinental network, including India.

Also customers will be able to use their mobile phones to send and receive SMS text messages and transfer data with smart phones such as the iPhone or PDAs such as BlackBerry. Axel Hilgers, South Asia Director, Lufthansa said, “Inflight Internet on board our long-haul flights is an innovation in the interests of our customers. FlyNet complements the consistent communications service offering for Lufthansa customers at all points of the travel chain. It provides passengers with opportunities to spend their time on board or while waiting for connecting flights.” Lufthansa operated the world’s first scheduled flight with broadband Internet access on January 15, 2003 and by the end 2006, it had some 69 long-range aircraft which were equipped with broadband services.