Honeywell Aerospace has cleared a hurdle in its effort to improve wireless connectivity on commercial airliners. 

The Phoenix-based division of Honeywell has received Federal Aviation Administration approval of its JetWave flight-connectivity system for Boeing 757 aircraft. 

Honeywell is developing a satellite-based system designed to keep airline passengers digitally connected during flights over land and water. 

Current wireless systems on airliners use cell towers and satellites with limited capacity and range. 

Honeywell’s JetWave system is the hardware that connects to its partner Inmarsat’s Global Xpress satellites. There are three of the satellites aloft and a fourth is scheduled to launch later this year. 

“The ability to connect with others is not a luxury anymore; it’s an expectation of both passengers and pilots alike,” said Jack Jacobs, Honeywell Aerospace vice president of safety and connectivity.

Honeywell said the FAA certification validates the reliability of its inflight-connectivity system to provide passengers with the same high-speed Wi-Fi experience they get at home or in the office while traveling at 35,000 feet.

The goal is to give fliers seamless access to onboard Wi-Fi to browse the Internet, check emails, stay connected on social media and watch videos even on transcontinental flights, the company said.

Honeywell’s JetWave hardware,  during more than 180  hours of testing, stayed connected to Inmarsat’s satellites at various altitudes, angles and speeds and through a variety of weather conditions.

London-based Inmarsat is investing $1.8 billion in its Global Xpress satellite network. Its fourth satellite is being tested by Boeing in California with a launch planned for the second half of 2016.