A wireless communications system and method for use with aircraft includes an airline network and an aircraft communications system. The airline network includes a reservation system having a database storing passenger and flight information, an interface to an external network and a home location register. The reservation system includes logic for provisioning a subscriber unit and defining at least one location-based event associated with the subscriber unit. The home location register tracks the location of the subscriber unit. The aircraft communications system includes a wireless base station facilitating radio communication with the provisioned subscriber unit and a second interface to the external network. During operation, the home location register executes the location-based event when the subscriber unit's movement into the location associated with the location-based event is detected.