Everything's looking up for aircraft with Internet connections

Satellites will make global connectivity possible.

NOW THAT PORTABLE COMPUTERS ARE UBIQUITOUS, Internet connectivity is becoming a requirement for many consumers. Aircraft companies are racing to give passengers unique abilities to go online for entertainment, information, and business activities in an effort to gain market share and revenue.

Both commercial and private aircraft are increasingly carrying antennas that link them to communications satellites or terrestrial towers that link planes to the Worldwide Web. Ground-based systems are popular now, but satellite links are widely considered to be the future for global connectivity. Many market watchers feel this trend has reached critical mass, beginning the spiral of rising volumes and falling prices that makes systems affordable enough for mainstream markets.