Boeing - service cannot connect

So farewell, Boeing Broadband, after a frenetic few years of signing up various airlines to try out the aircraft manufacturer’s online access system, bosses have now decided to pull the plug instead.

Connexions by Boeing, as the offshoot was officially known, was first muted in April 2000 and launched with great fanfare in May 2002.

Since then CbB had managed to woo Air China, China Airlines, Japan Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, All Nippon Airways, El Al Airlines, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Etihad Airways and Lufthansa into use the service.

Alas, Boeing released a short statement last week to announce it would be axing the business.

"Over the last six years, we have invested substantial time, resources and technology in Connexion by Boeing," said Boeing chairman, president and chief executive Jim McNerney. "Regrettably, the market for this service has not materialised as had been expected.”

This is somewhat of an understatement: Boeing said that just simply shutting down the service will cost around £170m.

Some reports suggest airlines and consumers alike were more impressed with cellular internet networks, which were more reliable and cheaper.

Kevin May, editor, Travolution