Dubai, FlyNet allows passengers to stay connected while cruising at high altitude – Available as a hotspot through all cabin classes using WiFi-enabled device – 43 long-range aircraft fitted with FlyNet

Lufthansa passengers from Dubai and Abu Dhabi now get to enjoy the perks of being connected while inflight via the airline’s FlyNet – the faster, smarter, powerful broadband internet connection onboard between Abu Dhabi and Frankfurt and between Dubai, Frankfurt and Munich.  FlyNet was introduced almost a year ago on select North Atlantic routes and is now available in the Middle East and Iran. Currently, 43 of Lufthansa’s long-range aircraft now have FlyNet and the carrier expects to equip the entire long-haul fleet by end-2012.

 “We are excited to roll out our top-tier inflight internet service in recognition of the need of our passengers to stay in constant touch. Email accessibility is important, particularly for business travellers, and is appreciated by leisure travellers too.  But FlyNet is a quantum leap. Our passengers can now use the entire spectrum of mobile data communication with high-speed access to the Internet throughout the aircraft, regardless of cabin class. Now, they can send and receive e-mail and even connect to their corporate intranets via Virtual Private Network (VPN).  FlyNet is an actual broadband hotspot on board. That’s utmost convenience and a real time-saver for most of our passengers,” said Peter Pollak, Lufthansa’s General Manager UAE and Director Gulf, Afghanistan & Iraq.

In a survey conducted at the beginning of this year by Lufthansa for early-user customers, results showed that passengers were most interested in browsing the latest news on the Internet as well as accessing social networks while inflight.

Through a hotspot, passengers have high-speed wireless access to the Internet via their laptop, smartphones or tablet PCs.  Thanks to the high bandwidth connection, e-mails – even with file attachments - can be sent and received without any time delay.  Furthermore, FlyNet enables business travellers the convenience to connect to their corporate servers via a Virtual Private Network (VPN).  In response to the wishes of passengers and for their protection however, the option of making mobile phone calls is not permitted.

Lufthansa offers the service in cooperation with its partners Panasonic Avionics Corporation and Deutsche Telekom.  FlyNet is extremely easy to use.  From any point in the aircraft cabin, passengers with a WLAN-enabled device can log on to the Internet in the same way as they would do when using a public hotspot.  After opening up their browser, users are automatically connected to the exclusive, free-of-charge Lufthansa FlyNet portal, which provides constant updates on business, political, sports and entertainment news.  For Internet use various different billing options are available:  passengers can pay by credit card or by redeeming Miles & More award miles.  Alternatively, they can choose to be billed by Deutsche Telekom if that is their mobile service provider, or by an affiliated roaming partner.  The one-hour flat rate is EUR10.95 or 3,500 miles; a 24-hour flat rate is available for EUR19.95 or 7,000 miles.  Within the 24-hour period of validity, passengers can surf the Web on any connecting Lufthansa flight equipped with a hotspot or a Lufthansa lounge after their flight.

Lufthansa operates 14 non-stop weekly flights between Dubai, Frankfurt and Munich and seven weekly non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi and Frankfurt.  

Source: Lufthansa