British Airways is to provide mid-flight email and Net access for its customers as part of three-month pilot into the technology.

BA is installing Connexion - a broadband technology from Boeing - in its First, Club World and World Traveller Plus cabins, which will enable passengers to plug-in their laptops and do stuff online.

Research carried out by BA found that 75 per cent of its business travellers fly with their laptops, and most of those who carried laptops were "extremely" or "very interested" in having Internet access during a flight.

Said Martin George, BA's director of marketing: "Connexion by Boeing allows passengers to not only surf the Internet while on board but also allows business travelers to access their corporate and personal e-mail accounts, send real-time e-mails and access their corporate networks."

The trial is due to begin in February 2003.

In March Lufthansa announced it would take part in a three-month trial for Connexion beginning late 2002. ®