British Airways is basking in the relative calm waters of reconvened talks with trade unions by launching upgraded in-flight web services on its business class-only route from London to New York.
The airline is hooking the announcement on giving passengers the ability to catch FIFA World Cup football and coverage of the Wimbledon tennis tournament, although with England and the USA both exiting the South African finals and the famous grass court competition almost over, perhaps the timing is slightly off.
Nevertheless, Airbus A318s flying the route from London City Airport to JFK have upgraded their entertainment systems to allow users to access information about the destination, book chauffeurs, access concierge services, monitor news and sport and view guides to local events.
The system works by allowing users to patch in to the on-board system powered by SITA's OnAir platform on their own smartphones to access services via a British Airways-hosted portal.
Meanwhile, American Airlines is to allow passengers at London Heathrow to use mobile boarding cards to clear security and pass through boarding gates.
The move is the first time outside of the US (which has allowed mobile boarding cards at 41 airports with AA services since 2008) that passengers will be able to check-in online and receive a 2D barcode to use with airport officials.
The technology will also allow passengers to check bags in at the terminal using the same barcode on mobile handsets.