If you are one of those people who hate turning off their mobile phone and feel slightly nervous when out of contact for more than ten seconds, you will be excited by the news that British Airways is going to allow passengers to use their phones onboard from this autumn on the all-business class service between London and New York. This new service, which will depart from London City Airport and arrive in JFK in New York, will see passengers able to send and receive texts as well as emails whilst the plane is in the air. Passengers will also be able to surf the web in order to keep up-to-date with the news.

British Airways revealed that the new service is being marketed towards “people in the Square Mile”, who, according to the airline, will be attracted by the new technology. Businessmen and women may be slightly frustrated that British Airways is not offering the ability to make or receive phone calls just yet but this service may be offered if the text messaging service proves to be a success.

However, not all travellers will be excited by the news from British Airways. After all, many people think that it is bad enough having to be subjected to people discussing their personal lives at full volume on the train during the tedious journeys to and from work. A large proportion of travellers enjoy the fact that the plane has thus far been a mobile-free zone and do not want their precious hours of beauty sleep over the Atlantic interrupted by an irritating ringtone.