British Airways plans to launch text and mobile services for customers on its new all business class route from London City Airport to New York’s JFK airport later this year.

This means customers will be able to stay in touch via their own mobile phones or PDAs.

They will also be able to access the Internet and send emails from laptops fitted with GSM data cards. Voice calls may be allowed in the future subject to customer demand and feedback.

BA is the first UK airline to announce the introduction of a live communication service on transatlantic flights. Willie Walsh, British Airways’ chief executive said: “This is a great service for our customers who 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 service will be provided by Mobile OnAir using the GSM/GPRS network, the world’s most widely used and extensive network for international mobile communications.