Budget carrier Norwegian is introducing ‘gate to gate’ wi-fi for passengers.
Internet access will be available for the entire duration of each flight across the airline’s wi-fi enabled aircraft from pushback to arrival at the airport gate.
Previously, aircraft had to climb to an altitude of 10,000 feet before the wi-fi network was activated.
Norwegian was the first low cost carrier to begin introducing free wi-fi on long-haul routes on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
Half of the Dreamliner fleet is expected to be equipped by 2020.
Passengers have two choices – basic free wi-fi for the full duration of long-haul flights and a premium high-speed option to stream television shows and films.
The carrier has also introduced premium wi-fi on European flights in an upgrade of the previous service.
Chief customer and digital officer Kurt Simonsen said: “We know how important it is for our passengers to have internet access.
“Until recently, flights were hour-long black holes when it comes to internet coverage.
“Now, Norwegian makes it possible to be online from the moment you board the aircraft until you step outside again.
“We launched free wi-fi on board in 2011 and since millions of passengers have been surfing the internet on board, so are looking very much forward to offering the new gate-to-gate experience to our passengers.”