Boeing has been inundated by requests from business jet operators for information about its Connexion broadband satellite communications system since the widely publicized trial launch of the service in January aboard a Lufthansa 747-400. For the time being, though, the size, weight and power requirements of the phased-array antenna mean the service is unlikely to be available on any business aircraft smaller than those based on airliners with a capacity of 100 or more seats.
So far, said a Boeing spokesman, there have been 14 installations of the system aboard privately owned aircraft. Platforms equipped include the Boeing Business Jet, Boeing 757 and Airbus A340. At least two of these use the system solely for in-flight reception of satellite television broadcasts, but Boeing has used its 737-400 demonstrator for public demonstrations of video conferencing. The company is also installing Connexion on the C-32A version of the 757-200, which the U.S. Air Force uses to transport the vice president and other government officials.
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