In a move that will increase the productivity of some but the modern-living stress levels of others, high-speed internet could be aboard most flights by next year.
Currently only a limited number of carriers offer fairly slow web surfing on board their aircraft.
Communications regulator, Ofcom, is considering licensing new satellite technology could mean bandwidth able to support streaming films and music.
Some will welcome the news, other perhaps not so much
The system uses Earth Stations on Mobile Platforms (ESOMPs) to deliver the network rather than rely on limited 2G mobile networks.
The technology can also be used on ships and trains and uses a higher frequency current systems to deliver faster speeds.
British airlines have yet to decide if they would use the technology.
Richard D'Cruze, British Airways inflight entertainment and technology manager, said: "We are always interested in employing new technology to improve the service that we can offer our customers, and are closely monitoring developments in the connectivity market in both the satellite and direct air-to-ground technology areas.
"We are about to embark upon a year long connectivity trial using one of our Boeing 747's fitted with a broadband satellite system," reports the Daily Mail.
Andrew Ferguson, editor of broadband information website thinkbroadband.com, said in-flight internet could increase the cost of fares when passengers could instead use 3G and 4G networks, reports the BBC.
He said: "The parts of the UK that might benefit the most are those train services in rural areas where 3G connectivity is currently very poor or non-existent."
Some American airlines already offer Wi-Fi on domestic flights but it can cost up to £14 for a pass.