1st October 2009

New Mobile Phone Service for BA Passengers.

Passengers using British Airways new business class-only service between London City Airport and New York will have the first mobile phone access on a transatlantic flight.

Text messages, emails and Internet access will be available via mobile phones and Blackberry devices on the twice-daily service, which starts this week.

The airline may introduce a voice call service if the text messaging is successful but they will not be allowed initially.

BA is using specially configured 32-seat Airbus A318 aircraft to launch the first long haul routes from the London Docklands airport via Shannon on the outbound leg.

A spokesman said that the service had been specially created to allow passengers flying first class to use new technology whilst flying between London and New York. Business travellers will find this particularly appealing as the can utilise time spent in the air to the full.

The in-flight connectively on the aircraft, the largest that can be flown from London City, is being provided by supplier Mobile OnAir and is said to be the most advanced in-flight connection system that there is.

The introduction of mobile phone technology has caused much controversy since Emirates became the first airline to offer the service in March 2008, charging passengers £2 a minute for voice calls.
Last year, a petition to keep the skies mobile-free attracted around 7,000 signatures, with readers expressing safety concerns and unease at the prospect of listening to other passengers’

For business travellers flying from London looking Heathrow airport parking on or off airport or a stopover in the capital a Heathrow hotel parking package is recommended.