I didn’t see this one coming. Boeing is considering shutting down or selling its Connexion division, which offers inflight wireless internet service on many international carriers’ longhaul flights. If it happens, it’s a major loss to business travelers and the internet-addicted.

The weak link in the inflight wi-fi chain has always been in-seat power, and I’m wondering if this is what has slowed adoption, both by the airlines, and by consumers on the flights that actually DO feature the service. To make Connexion really attractive, airlines would have to wire the cabin with power sockets, so you don’t drag multiple batteries with you just to work on the plane. And even then: If you’re on a long flight, you’d better pray that your seat has a working socket, and that you have the necessary adapter to get your juice.

As an aside: When you select seats, be sure to check SeatGuru for both the location of power outlets and the type of cord you need. Even a carrier like American Airlines, which has had in-seat power for some time, doesn’t have power at every row. (The black dot on the seatmap means a socket.)

As reported earlier this month, AirCell and LiveTV are planning to roll out inflight internet within North America soon. But this won’t cover trans-oceanic flights. Hopefully someone else will take over the network and maintain the service.

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Wireless internet access on board commercial aircraft is closer than ever to reality in American airspace. Intercontinental travelers on a number of non-US airlines (e.g., Singapore, Lufthansa, Asiana, Etihad, SAS, Korean …) have already been enjoying inflight internet access through Boeing’s Connexion service, which connects planes to satellites.

Now, however, two companies are poised to offer inflight wi-fi in the U.S. market. AirCell and LiveTV (a division of JetBlue) won sections of broadcast spectrum in Federal Communications Commission auction last week. AirCell promises to deliver air-to-ground access by early 2007, with a consumer cost expected to be about $10 per flight. Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean countries are lining up for similar services. No word yet on individual airlines signing up with either firm.

The appeal of inflight internet is huge, since the internet serves both the business traveler and the leisure traveler. (Though not everyone has a laptop…) The possibility exists as well to allow for phone calls in flight through one of these services. However, some airlines, like Frontier, are planning to introduce inflight wi-fi, but to block voice over IP services like Skype.

Maybe I’ll be posting at 600 mph sooner than I thought.

The story that won’t go away: Standing seats, re-re-redux
Christopher Elliott, who wrote the now-controversial article for the NYT, publishes the proof that these seats actually existed on his blog. His photo republished here. Semi-retraction or not, I still think this was a trial balloon. The reaction being negative, we won’t see stand-up seats. Yet…

Miles for Dry Cleaning
Standing inflight would keep your attire looking sharp. But if you’re crumpled and sweaty, earn some miles. Delta introduces SkyMiles Drycleaning. I’m not kidding. (Well, technically they call it SkyMiles Clothing Care, but still.)

Delta, and clothing, again
New uniforms for frontline staff. And why not: This is the airline that had Kate Spade-designed uniforms for their Song subsidiary. But is bankruptcy the best time to be shelling out the moolah for new threads?

Airport advertising
Taking a cue from the film “Minority Report,” Accenture has installed a giant touchscreen billboard at Chicago O’Hare’s terminal 3. Pretty cool, but when it comes to ads at O’Hare, I’ll always look back fondly on the billboards that read “Get Veal Satisfaction.”

Onboard wireless
Nine companies are bidding for a segment of the radio spectrum which could be used for inflight wireless — phone, internet, whatever. The two latest entrants: JetBlue, and the original holder of the spectrum, Verizon AirFone. It sounds like there will be some competition for Boeing’s Connexion and Inmarsat’s less well-known SwiftBroadband.

Collect them all!
Conde Nast Traveler’s Top 130 new hotels. A new hotel every three days. (The cheaper rooms on the list — sub-$200 — are listed here.)

Perhaps unsurprisingly, inflight internet access is popular. According to a survey of 3200 high-frequency travelers commissioned by Boeing, 83% of respondents would consider online access to be a key factor in deciding which airline to fly. (Currently, ANA, Asiana, China Airlines, El Al, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, SAS, and Singapore Airlines offer Boeing’s Connexion service. United is rolling out a Verizon-powered service over North America in the near future.)

94% of respondents who had used the service reported that they would use it again.

On MSNBC.com, Adam Hunter sounds the alarm again that cellphone use may soon be permitted in flight within the United States. It’s still up to two separate federal agencies — the FAA and the FCC — to come to agreement before cellphone users can burn through their minutes.

Phones have been on board for years, most commonly the Verizon Airfones that are installed in the backs of seats. The cost of making a call has been a deterrent, even when subscribers to a company cellphone plan get a discount.

I certainly sympathize with Hunter’s fear that we’ll soon be hearing more annoying chatter in the cabin. The poll associated with his article, while unscientific, shows that most people agree that cellphones are unwelcome inside aluminum tubes that hurtle through the air at over 500 mph.

But even if normal land-based cellphones are not approved (which I bet WILL happen), wi-fi in flight IS increasingly a reality. Several international carriers have installed Connexion by Boeing on their planes, which allows passengers to purchase high-speed wireless internet access for the duration of their flight. The planes are equipped with a wireless hub and a satellite connection.

Already today, a passenger flying, say, Asiana Airlines from Seoul to Seattle could buy a day pass for “Asiana Airnet,” then plug in a headset, fire up Skype or Net2Phone or any other VoIP service, and start making calls. Perfectly legally.

The next logical step is wi-fi enabled phones on board. In fact, they’re already being tested.

Granted, these are both currently more cumbersome than just dialing your existing cellphone, but the technology is here. Cellphones may be prohibited, but VoIP in the sky is coming.