Qatar's 787 showcases first inflight wi-fi, internet, mobile access

QATAR Airways offers internet and mobile phone access to passengers throughout on its Boeing 787 Dreamliners provided by OnAir's wi-fi internet.

Of the 100 passengers on the flight en route from Seattle to Doha there were a total of 50 internet sessions using a total of 1,250 MB of data with average use of 22MB. Of the 75 phones using the phone network, 340 text messages were sent and up to 50MB of mobile data transmitted.

Tweeting messages included inflight pictures of meals and of the aurora borealis and has now become "an integral part of any inflight experience", said OnAir CEO Ian Dawkins.

Qatar has used Mobile OnAir on its A320 fleet for three years enabling passengers to use their mobile phones and smartphones on flights in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

OnAir costs are equivalent to international roaming on passengers' monthly bills or credit card for an onboard wi-fi hotspot.

Qatar's Dreamliner has entered commercial service with a further 60 B787s on order, all of which will be equipped with OnAir connectivity.

OnAir provides inflight global connectivity to 48 customers on five continents of both inflight GSM and Wi-Fi, through over 80 regulatory approvals, 350 roaming agreements, and by using Inmarsat's I4 satellite networks.