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摘要

Whether there will be an internet boom on aircraft is anyone's guess. Even if there is, whether it will have a revenue-generating effect for the airlines is also open to question. Until some answers emerge, there are plenty of commentators willing to make a stab at a prognosis and, for the moment, at least, the optimists and the pessimists are out in fairly equal force. On the pro side of the equation are the high-profile flag-carriers, the likes of which have got behind Boeing and its Connexion internet access technology, and are counting on connectivity to distinguish their service provision from the upstart low-cost carriers; on the anti side are those which believe email and web-surfing are a long way from replacing the drinks trolley and video. The sceptics believe that connectivity will never raise significant revenues for the airlines and will just add costs at a time when cost-cutting is all the rage.