The requirement for this to be profitable based on the cost structure was almost 400x as many users. Boeing has already sunk $1B USD into a non-core business that they probably shouldn’t have entered in the first place, and were on pace to lose another $200M in 2007.

Good service or not, something’s gotta give. And, the recent security issues aren’t helping (if they don’t lighten up on security soon, commercial air travel as a business may not be long for this earth).

1) Power — Most airlines do not have power in economy, and the power in the (far fewer in number) business and first class areas often requires expensive and cumbersome adaptors. People forget their adaptors, or balk at buying one, and so even more potential users stay away. To make this sort of thing work, every seat needs a standard US-Euro plug. Period.

2) Wrong Customers — Sure, years ago you might have assumed that net connections are more for business users than those in economy, but that’s not how it worked out. Biz travellers have their blackberries to play with before and after the flight, and are generally exhausted and more likely to be sleeping or watching their fancy TV screens. Economy is where you have the restless hordes, packed into tight seating and desperate for distraction. These days, online gaming is a huge draw and would probably outsell someone checking their corporate email on every flight.

3) Pricing — There are plans for as little as $10 for one hour, but it’s true that the prices need to come down a little in order to get the numbers up. Or package the $27 service with the wifi in the airport waiting areas as well, so that people can use their machines from the moment they enter the airport till the moment they arrive.