Aircell has received two critical FAA approvals that bring inflight mobile broadband connectivity one step closer to the flying public.Aircell is now the first and only communications operator to receive approvals from the FAA to provide air-to-ground (ATG) inflight mobile broadband for U.S. domestic flights.

With its manufacturing facility fully operational and approved by the FAA, Aircell is producing the equipment needed to bring its inflight Internet service to American Airlines and Virgin America in 2008. Enough manufacturing capacity is in place to accommodate rapid service introduction to all future partners as well.

“Having received these critical approvals from the FAA, we now have the ability to rapidly expand to the rest of American’s 767-200 fleet,” said Joe Cruz, SVP and CTO of Aircell. “Initially we will provide passengers flying between Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Miami inflight Internet, which research indicates passengers want and need,” continued Cruz. “Working collaboratively with the FAA to receive the initial STC helps pave the way for future certifications on additional aircraft used by our airline partners.”