I found the following info from the first patent with radio waves. Lasers would also still be limited by line of sight at 40,000 feet.
More than one fleet of commercial aircraft have to be
used for this linkup; i.e. since crossing the ocean such as the
pacific ocean across San Francisco to Tokyo is around 5,000
miles. The line-of-sight range of these commercial aircraft that
fly at typical cruising altitude of 40,000 feet is 240 miles
radius. These commercial aircraft could send the broad band
wireless data to the next aircraft ahead/behind for another 240
miles; thus giving the maximum line-of sight (LOS) radio
frequency range of 480 miles at 40,000 feet.
To carry forward signals for 5,000 miles, at its ideal
condition, ten or more commercial aircraft would be
required. Signals takeoff (transmitted) from San Francisco
relay station tower (at 40,000 feet) will be received within 480
miles (of its west direction) to the first airborne aircraft, then
repeated by the first aircraft to the second (keeping going
west), then the third . . . finally landing (received) at the Tokyo
relay station. These fleets of commercial aircraft have to travel
accordingly to fill the communication gaps at same speed,
same direction and within its LOS ranges (max. 480 miles @
40,000 feet) to form the constellation as the low-flyingsatellites
and make the connection. However, popular routes
have commercial aircraft fly from hub cities to hub cities on
an increasingly busy schedule. The broad band wireless data
link is not limited (to only one channel) but depend on the
density of these fleets of the commercial aircraft.
