TAM said the decision to extend the services followed nine months in which passenger take-up of the service was stronger than expected. The new services will launch in approximately one year aboard the company’s entire long-haul fleet, including Boeing and Airbus aircraft. TAM said a total of 80 aircraft would be equipped with OnAir’s services during the next few years.

            “The long-haul service will be rolled-out from the second half of 2012. Installation of the 31 short-haul planes has already started, with OnAir connectivity gradually coming into service by the beginning of next year,” the airline said in a statement.

OnAir’s connectivity services are based on Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband, with satellite connectivity to and from the aircraft operated in partnership with Arycom in Brazil. The service aims to offer an upgrade path to Inmarsat’s next generation Ka-band solution, Global Xpress.