Passengers on British Airways’ new all-business-class services from London City Airport to New York’s JFK airport, which start this autumn, will be able to use their mobile phones, BlackBerries and laptops for text messaging and data services. The airline may introduce voice calls at a future date.

Willie Walsh, the chief executive of British Airways, 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 e-mail 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 technology is provided by Mobile OnAir, the company behind inflight mobile services being launched by Ryanair and bmi.

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Benoit Debains, chief executive of OnAir, said: “We’re delighted to have been selected by British Airways, one of the world’s flagship carriers, to provide the highest standard of inflight communications for their premium customers.

“British Airways has long been regarded as an industry leader and innovator, and we look forward to helping them differentiate their service offerings with Mobile OnAir.”

BA’s services will operate twice a day. The flights will be nonstop on the eastbound leg but will stop over in Shannon on the westbound leg because of fuel weight restrictions on take-off from London City.

The stopping flight will touch down at Shannon in Ireland, where they will be able to be pre-cleared through customs and immigration.