Air New Zealand has announced it plans to roll out in-flight wifi in 2017.

Chief executive officer Christopher Luxon said at a media and travel event in Sydney on Thursday that trans-Tasman flights would be the first to receive the service.

Mr Luxon says the airline is completing commercial negotiations with Panasonic Avionics and British satellite communications company Inmarsat to provide the internet connection and technology needed for the service.

Flights with wi-fi will begin in the latter half of 2017, starting with Tasman and Pacific flights before expanding to long haul services by the end of next year.

Domestic New Zealand flights are likely to offer wi-fi in 2018.