Charlotte-Munich route travellers to enjoy FlyNet broadband in-flight

Today Lufthansa will launch its exclusive FlyNet Internet onboard service on the airline's nonstop Charlotte (NC)-Munich route. Lufthansa launched FlyNet on its Los Angeles (CA)-Munich route in May 2004. The Airbus A340-300 will also contain Lufthansa's new Business Class product, featuring lie-flat sleeper seats. Charlotte is only the second Lufthansa US gateway (out of 16), and fourth in the world to receive both new products.

"The FlyNet service will give Charlotte passengers the option of getting those one or two emails out of the way - or following their favorite sports team's result," said Thomas Winkelmann, Vice President, the Americas for Lufthansa. "Together with our new Business Class, those passengers will be able to sleep better, now work better - and hopefully relax more, on board," Winkelmann added.

The Lufthansa FlyNet system, using a satellite connection provided by Connexion by Boeing, permits unrestricted in-flight Internet access with a laptop or other mobile terminal via wireless LAN (WLAN). While at cruising altitude, Lufthansa passengers can surf the Web, send e-mails with attachments or set up a secure data connection via a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to their company's Intranet or mail server.

Connexion by Boeing offers FlyNet users thirty minutes' Internet access for US $9.95 and an additional 25 cents per minute thereafter. The flat rate for an entire flight is US $29.95. Passengers also gain access to the free FlyNet Internet portal, which contains over a thousand pages of real-time news, weather, travel and lifestyle information updated constantly via satellite. The portal also offers shopping possibilities and Lufthansa Miles & More information.

Charlotte became Lufthansa's 19th North American gateway on March 26, 2004. Flight LH 429 leaves Charlotte (NC) at 1735 and arrives in Munich at 0810 the next morning. The return flight LH 428 leaves Munich at 1110 and arrives in Charlotte at 1525 the same day. The Airbus A340-300 features 44 seats in Business Class, and 222 seats in Economy. It departs five times per week during the winter season.

FMI: www.lufthansa.com