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Come Closer For An Insight Of China Airlines
China Airlines To Offer Internet Service by 2005
Nov. 17, 2004, Taipei, Taiwan – China Airlines and Connexion by Boeing have signed an agreement that will bring high-speed Internet service to travelers on China Airlines flights. The new Internet service will be available first on CAL’s North America bound B747-400 flights, to and from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Anchorage and Vancouver since June, 2005. The agreement was signed by China Airlines Chairman Yao-Chung Chiang and Connexion by Boeing President Scott Carson. China Airlines will be the first airline in Taiwan to introduce this cutting-edge system.
By installing antenna on aircraft, the Connexion system brings high-speed Internet connectivity to in-flight users via satellite and ground operation centers. Following installation, CAL passengers using laptop computers or PDAs with wireless network cards will enjoy high speed access to the Internet when the aircraft is flying above 10,000 feet.

“The in-flight connectivity will provide passengers convenient access to Internet information for business or personal use,” said Yao-Chung Chiang, Chairman of China Airlines. “Airlines can also use this new technology to secure information on weather, airports and aircraft, and even access maintenance bases or aircraft manufacturers to control flight safety risks.”

To serve the demands of different passengers, China Airlines has designed a flexible rate scheme for the new service. Passengers will have the option of paying US$29.95 for a full sector, or they can pay US$9.95 for the first half hour, and US$0.25 for each additional minute.

China Airlines signed a Letter of Intent with Connexion by Boeing on December 31, 2003. After its introduction on flights to North America, the service will be extended to other routes, following an evaluation.

Lufthansa now operates the Connexion system, and All Nippon Airways is installing it. In addition, Japan Airlines and Singapore Airlines will introduce the system this December. China Airlines will be the 6th airline in the world to introduce this convenient new technology to its passengers.