News | Airlines

Use your mobile over the Atlantic 

British Airways and OnAir has launched inflight connectivity services aboard British Airway's premier business-class only service which links London with New York. British Airways’ passengers can now travel between the two major business hubs, whilst staying connected to their business, family and friends whilst using their own mobile phones or smartphones (like the ubiquitous BlackBerry® devices!) for text messages, emails and Internet access.

The service, which is London City airport’s first ever long-haul route, has the airline’s most prestigious flight number, BA001, previously used by Concorde and is supported by specially configured Airbus A318s, the largest aircraft that can be flown from the airport.

Willie Walsh, British Airways’ CEO said: “Every aspect of this service has been designed to maximise convenience for customers to fly between the world’s two biggest business centres – Wall Street and London’s extended financial district in the City and Docklands. The UK’s first mobile phone access on transatlantic flights means that customers can work and keep in touch with the office between London and New York via email and texts.” 

“OnAir is particularly proud to be working with British Airways in launching the service on this historic route,” said Benoit Debains, the Chief Executive of OnAir. “The launch marks a further and very significant milestone in airline take-up of inflight connectivity. Mobile OnAir will support British Airways in providing their passengers with the very highest service levels on this long-haul route. It is the most technologically advanced of all inflight connectivity systems, and represents the best way forward to take advantage of developing technology.”