In-flight broadband ready for take-off

The number of planes that offer inflight broadband is set to soar 3200% during 2009, according to market analysts In-Stat.

In-Stat said the number of broadband enabled planes worldwide will reach 800 by the end of 2009, compared to just 25 at the end of 2008.

“The market is clearly gaining momentum, with deployments escalating in number,” said Daryl Schoolar, In-Stat analyst.

In-flight broadband will generate $47 million worldwide in 2009, In-Stat said, and is set to grow to $1 billion a year by 2012.

By 2013, 200 million people a year will get connected mid-flight, In-Stat predicts, with the majority of connections on long-haul flights.

Handheld devices will account for 1/3 of connections, with laptops accounting for 2/3.

The future is not completely rosy, however, with in-flight broadband facing set backs from the global financial meltdown.

It will also have to compete with an increasing number of non-traditional in-flight entertainment solutions.