British Airways is planning Europe's first inflight 4G broadband service.
The airline is working with UK firm Inmarsat to allow passengers to use their mobile phone data plan to access the internet.
No timescale or further details have been unveiled, but the service will be launched on UK domestic routes.
Last year, BA revealed it had teamed up with Inmarsat to introduce high-speed inflight internet by linking aircraft to the internet via mobile phone towers on the ground (see news, June 2014). It seems likely the forthcoming 4G broadband service is part of this in-progress work.
A BA spokesman told Business Traveller: "Connectivity has come a long way in recent years and we have been in discussions with Inmarsat about leading Europe in a new era of broadband in the air.
"Starting with UK domestic routes, we intend to roll-out Europe's first ground-based 4G broadband network giving customers the internet access they expect on the ground while in the air.
"Customers can already use their mobile phones and other handheld devices to send and receive texts, emails and data on our Club World London City service, which also offers internet access between London and New York."
Graham Smith
