Seamless skies: The complete story of inflight connectivity

Demand for inflight connectivity has never been higher, with an increasing number of passengers expecting robust inflight internet access, as Tom Batchelor discovers

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Inflight connectivity is an increasingly important requirement for many travellers 
SITA
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I-6 F1, the first of Inmarsat’s I-6 satellites, undergoes thermal vacuum testing ahead of its launch into space
INMARSAT
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Connectivity is particularly important on ultra-long-haul sectors, such as Qantas' Project Sunrise research flights 
QANTAS

While some welcome the cabin crew call to set portable electronic devices to ‘airplane’ mode as a chance to switch off both literally and metaphorically, for many others, struggling to stay connected at 37,000ft remains a frustratingly frequent feature of modern air travel.

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