United to take off with in-flight Wi-Fi

United Airlines has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to offer Wi-Fi internet access in its airplanes.

The FAA determined that 802.11b/g equipment installed on a Boeing 757-200 aircraft by the US airline and Verizon Airfone did not interfere with the plane's operations.

United still needs approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). If that is received, the airline will initially offer the Wi-Fi service only on domestic US flights on the 757-200 but plans to eventually make it available on all domestic and international flights.

Lufthansa has offered an in-flight wireless internet service for more than a year, charging $29.99 for a long-haul flight, $19.95 for flights under 6 hours or $9.95 for 30 minutes and 25 cents per minute thereafter.

The ability to use mobile phones on airplanes is also inching closer. European regulators have OK'd a venture between plane manufacturer Airbus and communications company SITA to create an in-flight mobile technology, though passengers are unlikely to be able to use it for around two years. And last year American Airlines undertook a test flight of a plane with in-flight mobile technology as a proof of concept.

Lucky for those passengers trying to catch up on sleep, new research from IDC says most people are more interested in using data services such as email and SMS, rather than voice functionality, while in the air.