Inflight Wi-Fi for Lufthansa Passsengers: Coming Soon

Deutsche Lufthansa announced Monday that customers would once again be able to communicate mid-flight using broadband Internet, reports the Los Angeles Times.

The German airline said it would reintroduce FlyNet, its satellite-based Internet service, by mid-2010. In addition to wireless Internet access, the service will enable Lufthansa passengers to send text messages and transfer data on smartphones.

Lufthansa is partnering in the venture with Japanese electronics giant Panasonic Avionics Corporation.

Passengers can choose to be billed through a mobile service provider or pay by credit card, the company said. Travelers should also be able to redeem award miles for use of the Wi-Fi Internet connections, Lufthansa said. The prices for specific services will be announced at a later date.