Air update

In-flight wi-fi could reach the speeds of 4G smartphones on the ground, allowing passengers to stream HD movies and play highspeed online games at 38,000ft.

Leading communications firms Thales, Nokia and SkyFive have teamed up to create the Air to Ground (A2G) secure data system which, on journeys over land, can offer speeds of up to 100mps – a significant increase on existing satellite technology.

Already trialled in Europe, it works by linking planes to highspeed wi-fi from the ground up and will be rolled out further in 2021 – including in the UK – where domestic and international carriers will be able to use 4G masts on land, connecting jets with the nearest towers and seamlessly handing over from mast to mast.

The companies say the equipment needed is also faster, lighter and simpler to install for airlines, taking around 12 hours compared with two days for most satellite systems.

thalesgroup.com

Loganair has announced a new partnership with Teesside International Airport to five destinations, with tickets on sale from today.

Teesside airport gets links to Aberdeen and Belfast City from February, with Dublin, Jersey and Newquay being added in the summer.

The routes are being operated by Glasgow-based Loganair – fares to Northern Ireland from £49.99 one way, and £74.99 to the Granite City. loganair.co.uk

Low-cost carrier Wizz Air will begin services from Luton to Gibraltar and Madeira on December 11. Tickets are on sale now, starting at £24.99 one way. wizzair.com

Virgin Atlantic will fly from Heathrow to a new Caribbean destination next summer.

A twice-weekly service to the island of St Vincent launches in June, with tickets going on sale on November 24. Fares are yet to be announced.

virginatlantic.com