Thai Airways is joining the rush for inflight Internet, with the first services due online by mid-year.
The Thai flag-carrier will install the OnAir satellite Internet system on six of its newest Airbus A380 aircraft and a further seven Airbus A330s, starting "by the end of Q2 2012" with roll-out across the entire fleet "completed by 2014".
Passengers connecting via Bangkok to Frankfurt will be the first to see Thai's A380 -- and thus inflight Internet -- when the airline receives its first superjumbo this year.
There'll be two separate options for using your devices over the OnAir system.
Internet OnAir works like any pay-to-use wifi hotspot you'd find in an airport or cafe: enter your credit card details (Thai hasn't revealed prices yet) and start surfing with your laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Mobile OnAir is more akin to global roaming on your phone for making and receiving text messages, email, mobile data -- and, yes, phone calls. So unless you want to return home to a hefty data bill, make doubly sure your phone's roaming function is switched off.
Other Australian Business Traveller stories on in-flight Internet
Emirates now offering in-flight Internet on all Airbus A380s
First-hand review: Qantas Airbus A380 in-flight WiFi Internet
Cathay Pacific to begin trials of inflight Internet mid-year on Boeing 747
Virgin America in-flight Internet: the shape of flights to come?
Virgin Australia: streaming WiFi movies & music for tablets, laptops – up next, Internet
Keep up to date with the latest news for Australian business travellers and frequent flyers: tune into @AusBT on Twitter.
About John Walton
Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.
