Aer Lingus-owner IAG said it would start to provide Wi-Fi across its airlines' shorthaul fleets from 2017.
This follows similar moves from rival airlines as passengers increasingly demand to stay connected in the air.
IAG said it signed a deal with satellite company Inmarsat to be the launch customer for a service which will offer a 4G broadband network onboard.
The service would be available to people travelling on British Airways flights from next summer.
IAG's other airlines, including Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling, would be equipped with the Wi-Fi technology from later in 2017.
Rival carrier Lufthansa started providing satellite-based broadband onboard its short-haul flights starting from last month, while Norwegian has offered customers free Wi-Fi onboard for some time.
IAG said earlier this year it would start fitting its long-haul flights with Wi-Fi and that by 2019, 90% of its airlines' fleets would be fitted with the connectivity equipment.
"Connectivity is essential because it's what our customers demand and IAG will be the first European airline group to offer high-quality air to ground Wi-Fi on shorthaul flights," commented the company's chief executive Willie Walsh.
