Lufthansa passengers will soon be able to access broadband internet on short and medium-haul flights.
The first aircraft to be fitted with the new technology will take to the skies in early summer 2016.
The service, which Lufthansa has devised in conjunction with its tech partner Inmarsat and Deutsche Telekom, will "offer seamless, reliable coverage" via a wireless network that passengers will access from their own mobile devices.
It will even allow passengers to run streaming programmes and send/receive text messages, the latter by using their own phone contract data allowance.
It is unclear how much airborne internet access will cost, but it could be linked to cabin class.
On board telephone calls will not be allowed "due to customer preference".
Carsten Spohr, chairman of the executive board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, said: "Having equipped all planes in the Lufthansa intercontinental fleet with our successful Flynet system, we are now continuing our success story by providing internet on board our short and medium-haul flights.
"We are therefore the first airline in Europe able to offer its guests an internet surfing experience boasting the same quality and speed as they are used to at home."
Last year, Lufthansa rolled-out an inflight mobile phone service across its entire long-haul fleet of over 100 aircraft (see news, February 2014)
Earlier today, the German carrier announced it has fitted all 106 of its long-haul aircraft with new business and economy cabins, while the new first class cabin has been installed on 76 aircraft (see news, September 21).
Graham Smith
