Lufthansa to offer broadband on short and medium-haul flights from 2016

The new FlyNet® service has been developed by Lufthansa with its technology partner Inmarsat, and offers “seamless, reliable coverage on short and medium-haul flights”. With the increased bandwidth, passengers will be able to use large applications and even stream.

Chairman of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, said: "Lufthansa has always been a pioneer of Internet services on board its aircraft. Having equipped all planes in the Lufthansa intercontinental fleet with our successful FlyNet® system, we are now continuing our success story by providing Internet on board our short and medium-haul flights. We are therefore the first airline in Europe able to offer its guests an Internet surfing experience boasting the same quality and speed as they are used to at home." Additionally, passengers will be able to use their mobile phones to send and receive text messages on their own mobile phone contract. Telephone calls, however, will still not be allowed due to customer preference. Lufthansa operated the world's first scheduled flight with broadband Internet access on 15th January 2003, but it had to be suspended in 2006 because the necessary satellites were no longer in operation. Since December 2010, Lufthansa has offered broadband Internet access on its intercontinental flights. FlyNet® has been available on all 106 long-haul aircraft in the Lufthansa fleet since the beginning of this year.