BA has launched a business class-only flight from London City airport to New York’s JFK – a service that also provides passengers with mobile phone access.

British Airways will tomorrow (Tuesday 29 September) launch a new, luxury business class-only service to New York, complete with onboard mobile phone access.

The 32-seater Airbus A318 will operate twice-daily, linking London City airport with New York’s JFK airport. Tickets start at just less than £2,000.

However, the service will have to refuel at Shannon airport, in Ireland, on its way to America because the runway at London City airport is too short to handle a fully-fuelled Airbus A318. During this stop, passengers will clear US customs and immigration, thus saving time when they reach New York. Eastbound flights will operate a full, non-stop service.

This aspect aside, passengers will be able to text, email and browse the internet via mobile phones and Blackberry devices while onboard.

Willie Walsh, British Airways’ Chief Executive, 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.”

The technology is being provided by Mobile OnAir, a Geneva-headquartered company owned by Airbus and SITA that provides in-flight passenger communications services.

Benoit Debains, CEO of OnAir, commented: “The launch marks a further and very significant milestone in airline take-up of inflight connectivity. It is the most technologically advanced of all inflight connectivity systems, and represents the best way forward to take advantage of developing technology.”