IRISH airline Aer Lingus is to roll out high speed in-flight WiFi for passengers across its short haul flights from late 2017.
An agreement between the International Airlines Group (IAG) and satellite communication service Inmarsat means that a 4G broadband service will be available for four airlines.
Included in the deal are 132 British Airways, 125 Veiling, 45 Iberia and 39 A320 Aer Lingus aircrafts.
While on board, passengers will have the bandwidth capacity to use multiple devices at the same time, and connection speeds will be similar to what they have at home.
"We are giving our customers the fastest connectivity you can get on any aircraft," said Willie Walsh, IAG's chief executive.
"Having announced WiFi for long haul flights earlier this year we are now equipping our airlines' short haul flights with broadband access.
"Connectivity is essential because it's what our customers demand and IAG will be the first European airline group to offer high-quality air to ground WiFi on short haul flights."
Leo Mondale, President of Inmarsat Aviation, added: "The European Aviation Network is a game changer for the millions of airline passengers that have been cut off from fast, reliable and consistent broadband access during flights in Europe."
"It will provide IAG airlines with unprecedented high-speed capacity by combining the strengths of Inmarsat's satellite connectivity with a powerful ground network operated by our partner Deutsche Telekom.
"We look forward to working with Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Vueling on the roll-out."
The first short haul aircraft equipped with WiFi connectivity – a British Airways A321– will be in service next summer.
Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling aircraft will follow later in 2017.
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