Inflight wi-fi will be available on Air New Zealand flights from next year.

Air New Zealand has announced it will begin rolling out inflight wi-fi on its jet services next year.

Flights between Australia and New Zealand will be the first to receive connectivity, Air New Zealand chief executive officer Christopher Luxon said at a media and travel trade event in Sydney on Thursday.

Luxon said the service would be tested in the second half of 2017 and become available on Tasman, Pacific Island and long-haul jet fleets from the end of next year.

Domestic jet services were likely to offer wi-fi from 2018.

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Luxon said the airline was in the final stages of commercial negotiations with Inmarsat and Panasonic Avionics, with internet connectivity to be supplied by Inmarsat's new global GX satellite constellation and integrated with Air New Zealand's in-cabin technology.

"Given Air New Zealand operates some of the longest flights in the world, and in oceanic areas where there has historically been poor quality satellite service, we have patiently worked with partners until comfortable that a service which meets the high expectations of our customers is available," he said.

"Proving flights on a partner company test aircraft have now given us the confidence to introduce what we believe will be the world's most reliable inflight connectivity.

"Customers will be able to use their social media channels, stay on top of emails and browse the internet."

The airline expected to release details of the operating business model in the first half of 2017.

Air New Zealand general manager for customer experience Carrie Hurihanganui told Australian Business Traveller the airline would not rule out either free or paid services.

And chief revenue officer Cam Wallace said they were looking at "three to four core options" on pricing.

Until now Air New Zealand has kept quiet about its plans to offer inflight internet, even as Australian competitor Qantas announced a free wi-fi service in February.