In-flight broadband ready for take off

A new service unveiled by Panasonic will give aircraft passengers access to high-speed broadband in 2009.

ExConnect will connect to the internet via Intelsat's GlobalConnex satellite broadband network, which will enable travellers in selected regions to surf the web and also provide live in-flight television.

The service is expected to offer download speeds of over 10Mbs around and be priced at around £6 per hour or £11 per day.

Paul Margis, chief executive officer at Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said: "At Panasonic, we believe that true broadband communication is an enabling technology that will unlock new efficiency and reliability improvements in the aeronautical world in addition to groundbreaking passenger connectivity service."

Panasonic said there was strong demand for the service, with unnamed airline customers already signing agreements for the system.

ExConnect will become the first in-flight online offering since Boeing's Connexion loss-making service was closed. Lufthansa was the first airline to provide internet on long-haul flights in 2004.