Ryanair has already equipped 40 Boeing 737-800s with OnAir's in-flight mobile connectivity service, and is reporting rising usage rates.

The Irish carrier, in an update today, says its OnAir-equipped aircraft are based in Ireland and Italy.

Early indications prove that consumers love the service and penetration rates continue to rise, it says.

While initial revenues will be small, Ryanair believes that in-flight communications will make a meaningful contribution to ancillary profit growth in future years.

OnAir recently predicted that up to 100 aircraft could be flying with its service by year-end. OnAir's offering is supported by Inmarsat's SwiftBroadband aeronautical service.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news