British Airways to offer text, internet services

British Airways will boost its range of inflight technology this year when it trials a new service enabling its passengers to send text messages and access the internet.

The facility will be available on the airline's business class flights to New York, which will launch from London City Airport in the autumn.

Business travellers will be able to send text messages from mobile devices and also access the internet and send emails from laptops fitted with GSM data cards.

The development will make British Airways the first UK airline to introduce a live communications service on transatlantic flights.

Chief executive Willie Walsh said: "This is a great service for our customers whom we know want to do business in the air or simply stay in touch via email or text.

"It's a perfect fit for our new business class only services from London City Airport to JFK which we will launch later this year."

The inflight technology service, which will be provided by OnAir, could be extended to allow voice calls on British Airways flights subject to customer demand and feedback.

Posted by Andrea, 26 January 2009 14:51

News tags

• New York
• British Airways