Lufthansa has announced a new FLyNet service, which is actually a re-launch, with assistance from Panasonic and the 802.11n, which will provide in-flight WiFi to select North Atlantic routes, but access should be available on “nearly the entire Lufthansa intercontinental network by the end of 2011.”

No specific performance figures are being released, but the company does call it “extremely fast” and quick enough to open large attachments “without delay.” Report has it that the company expected uplink rates of 1Mbps, with download rates reaching 5Mbps. Better still, the airline will be enabling cellphone data access (GSM and GPRS) in the spring of next year, giving highfalutin’ bigwigs the ability to send and receive the most expensive text messages of their life.

Deutsche Telekom will be providing the actual internet service, with pricing set as such: €10.95 (or 3,500 miles) for one hour or €19.95 (or 7,000 miles) for a 24-hour pass that also allows patrons to access the web “on all Lufthansa connecting flights equipped with a hotspot during the period of validity as well as after the flight in Lufthansa lounges.” But the good news is, it’ll be free from now until January 31st 2011.

SOURCE via Lufthansa