Boeing turns on in-flight TV feed

Connexion, a unit of Boeing, has said it will offer live television to airline passengers using laptops in-flight.

This summer the company will start offering as many as five TV channels via its satellite-linked feeds, including BBC World, CNBC, EuroNews, Eurosportsnews and MSNBC, on select Singapore Airlines flights.

US satellite provider DirecTV Group already offers a live TV service on JetBlue. But Connexion will be the first to offer live television on international and transcontinental flights, the company said.

The new TV service is an extension of Connexion's existing wireless service for travellers. Since last year, the company has been providing Wi-Fi internet connectivity to passengers aboard planes operated by Japan Airlines, ANA, Lufthansa German Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines System and Singapore Airlines. In addition, Asiana, China Airlines, El Al Israeli Airlines and Korean Air have announced they intend to install the Connexion system on their long-range aircraft.

In total, Connexion has signed 11 airline Wi-Fi agreements, with more than 60 planes providing the service on more than 100 routes daily around the globe. The company expects to eventually expand those agreements to also include the television service.

Laurette Koellner, president of Connexion by Boeing, said: "Being a well-informed traveller is essential for successfully conducting business today. Our service, which now features television content, addresses that need while providing additional options for passengers who want new entertainment choices in-flight."

Marguerite Reardon writes for CNET News.com