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

Inflight connectivity is an increasingly important requirement for many travellers
SITA

I-6 F1, the first of Inmarsat’s I-6 satellites, undergoes thermal vacuum testing ahead of its launch into space
INMARSAT

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.