CHICAGO-Boeing Co. grounded its money-losing, in-flight communications offering known as Connexion, saying it plans to “facilitate an orderly phase out” of the service.
“Over the last six years, we have invested substantial time, resources and technology in Connexion by Boeing,” said Jim McNerney, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Boeing. “Regrettably, the market for this service has not materialized as had been expected.”
Connexion by Boeing launched in May 2004 and allowed passengers with GSM and CDMA roaming-enabled mobile phones to make and receive calls while in flight. In addition to Internet access, Boeing’s offering included four channels of live TV.
In late June, the company acknowledged that it had been reviewing its Connexion business and had been in talks with existing customers as well as potential new business partners. A number of major international airline carriers offered Connexion service on long-haul flights.
