Internet on planes could be next money-spinner for airlines

FILED - Satellite technology is enabling airlines to make internet available on flights, in what experts see as a potential gold mine for them. Photo: Jan Woitas/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa

In recent years, it's only been on planes that people, especially businesspeople, can get some respite from their smartphones: a few hours shut off from the world, unreachable. 

But increasingly, even this island of tranquillity is being lost as satellite technology enables airlines to make internet available on flights, in what experts see as a potential gold mine for them.