Boeing aims to offer more toys for travellers

But the approval by the US Federal Communications Commission may have come to late.

In November, American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air all cancelled plans to invest in Boeing's in-flight web service, called Connexion.

In June, the three airlines had offered to help fund the project which would enable airlines to offer TV and email as well as high-speed access to the web.

But 11 September changed that.

Diversification

Boeing will nevertheless go ahead with installations and further tests of the system in about a year, using Lufthansa jets.

Tests already carried out show that the service can operate without causing interference to other spectrum users.

Airborne internet access would, if successful, help diversify the Boeing group away from the cyclical jet building business.