Earlier this week, aircraft manufacturer Boeing filed a patent for a wireless local area network system intended for use on mobile platforms such as aircraft and other vehicles. US patent number 6,990,338 details a system wherein the vehicle will have at least one wireless access point, which can be accessed by standard wireless-enabled devices such as laptops while in-flight.

The system explicitly states that the wireless system is designed such that it would not interfere with aircraft communications systems. This takes care of the current US Federal Aviations Administration (or FAA) ruling that no “intentional transmitters” (such as mobile phones) may be used while in-flight. The ruling ensures safety against interference with the aircraft’s own communications systems, which can cause malfunctions and possibly air accidents or disasters.

The system patent also describes use of wireless technology on airplanes other in-flight devices. For instance, the LCD screens for in-flight movie viewing can be connected to the video system via WiFi instead of wires.

The adoption of WiFi standards in aircraft’s in-flight connectivity is a welcome move, in that it firstly gives more connectivity options to individuals dependent on WiFi for work or recreation. This opens up a multitude of possibilities, including finally being able to make wireless phone calls while in flight through a WiFi-enabled VoIP client.