Have you ever set off on a 10-hour flight, settled down without the distraction of your mobile phone or computer, but then realised that you really need to get in touch with someone? It’s frustrating when that happens because of course you can’t use those devices, until now. Virgin Atlantic claims it will become the first British airline to provide passengers with a service to make and receive phone calls in flight.

The airline said that the service is in response to the demand from customers, who will now be able to send and recieve texts and access the internet via GPRS. Initially it will only be available to O2 or Vodafone networks, and will be billed international roaming charges.

Director of corporate communications Greg Dawson said: “We have listened to what customers want and connectivity in the air is always on the wish list. Many people will have experienced that moment when you”re about to take off on a 10-hour flight and you need to send an important message to the office, or even reminding a family member to feed the cat!”

 It will be available in all cabins on Virgin’s new A330 aircraft on flights from London to New York, but the service is primarily aimed at business travellers. By the end of 2012, nearly 20 aircraft will provide the service, including the airline’s B747 aircraft, which are currently going through a £50m refurbishment.

There are some restrictions however, only basic web access is possible through the GPRS service, and it cannot be used during take-off or landing, or within 250 miles from US airspace to adhere to American laws.

The pressure for a third runway at Heathrow grows, as a new poll suggests over 50% of international airlines are planning to move flights away from the UK because there is not enough room at the airport.

The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK), which represents 84 scheduled airlines, said its survey shows that airlines are looking at alternative bases in other countries rather than switching to other London airports. It added that if London restricts airport capacity to that of the last decade, then it is actively encouraging airlines to look elsewhere.

BAA chief executive Colin Matthews is expected to further push the third runway cause as he reveals the full results of the survey at a transport conference in London today. According to Sky news, Matthews will state that London is excluding itself from economic growth because it is unable to forge new airlinks with growing economies such as China.

The clock is ticking! Picture by Flickr User Ben Sutherland

Over 1 in 10 Brits will be going abroad on holiday specifically to avoid the London 2012 Olympics. 12% of the 2,018 adults asked in the ABTA commissioned poll, said they would b going overseas between 27th July and 12th August to get away from the games. Whereas 9% said they were looking for a holidays in the UK that was Olympics free.

Of those who were staying put, 30% said that they ignore the Games completely, whereas 11% are planning to take time off to watch the Games on TV, and 5% will take time off to attend events. 31% said that although they will not take time off during the events, they are excited about them nonetheless.

ABTA head of communications Victoria Bacon said: “With only six months to go until one of the biggest sporting events in our country’s history, it’s clear that hundreds of thousands, especially the young, will be taking time off to enjoy London 2012. However, for those who don’t love sports or want to escape the crowds, going abroad will provide a welcome alternative.”

The research was conducted by Arkenford Ltd, which specialises in tourism and leisure market research.

So, will you be staying for the Olympics, going away, or ignoring them? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.

Luton airport is hoping to increase its capacity from 10 to 18 million passengers annually, and create a further 6,000 jobs.

The local council has been looking at ways to increase capacity and jobs, and is expected to be given the go ahead as the Government are keen to increase airport capacity in the South East without adding runways.

Councillor Robin Harris, chair LLAL, the company that owns the airport on behalf of Luton borough council said: “We’re at the very beginning of a journey that builds on the tremendous success we have seen through the last decade and will ultimately bring huge benefits to Luton and the wider region – with jobs and much-needed income.”

Cllr Robin Harris said: “We will consult actively and listen carefully ahead of submitting a planning application but we must be ready to embrace market demand in the future. The benefits that will flow from the airport’s development will be realised in the local, regional and national economies.”

It is currently unclear where the extra passengers will come from, but it has been suggested that budget airlines could fill the gap and provoke strong competition with Stanstead. Good train links to London will also hopefully attract business travellers.

Happy New Year to all our readers! Before we move on to this year’s news, here’s a round up of some of the biggest stories we covered on this blog in 2011, it certainly was an eventful year!

January started with the troubled BMI threatening to withdraw its Heathrow – Glasgow route after passenger charges at Heathrow were raised (this was confirmed a month later). Ryanair returned to Manchester with four new routes. And the political troubles in Egypt disrupted flights.

Spiraling conflict in Egypt caused complete cancellation of routes to popular holiday destinations in February. Meanwhile, Which? launched a super complaint on airline card fee charges,the cost of Qantas’ engine troubles were revealed, and airlines flying from the UK finally started to show clearer air fares.

March brought faster flight times under a deal signed by traffic controllers. But by far the biggest news of the month was the huge tsunami which hit Japan and led to re-routing of flights to avoid possible radiation risk, and advice to leave Tokyo.

A Skyscanner survey found Spain back in favour for British holidaymakers in April.

In May Belfast Airport started to charge for going for a cigarette break, and the ongoing battle between Unite and British Airways was finally settled!

More natural disasters happened in June with violent aftershocks in Christchurch, New Zealand and volcanic eruptions in Chile.

The News of the World phone-hacking scandal broke in July with airlines withdrawing their advertisements as a result.

In August research revealed the use of smartphones were ruining people’s holidays.

The Rugby World Cup was held in New Zealand in September, where Wales’ hopes were dashed.

The first biofuel passenger flight took place in October, however green campaigners claimed it wasn’t as environmentally friendly as everyone thought.

Europe announced a ban on body scanners at airports in November, but the UK decided to go against the decision.

Finally, December saw 150mph winds hit parts of Scotland, which is where we are now at the start of 2012 as tremendous winds continue to batter the UK once more.

So, what travel news is in store for 2012? Keep up to date here!

According to an article in the Telegraph, those landing at Heathrow today did not face the horrendous queues and delays predicted before the strikes. In fact, it seems that processing passengers through customs was even quicker than normal!

The airport had drafted in special ‘volunteers’ from other sectors of non-striking civil service that had been trained a month in advance of the strike and were overseen by members of staff not involved in the strike. BAA had brought in piles of water bottles and chocolate bars at immigration boarder control for passengers if the queues went on for too long, but not even a break down of the iris scanners slowed down the pace.

Many felt that they were getting VIP treatment as they were guided around by volunteers in purple ‘help’ sashes and many were even outnumbered by the baggage reclaim staff.

British traveller Victoria Malloy said she had feared the worst as she landed from her flight from New York: “We were told in the plane there would be delays of between eight to 12 hours. But it’s never been so quick. I’ll make sure I travel during a strike next time,” she said.

Some airlines had cancelled flights or flown at half capacity as a preventative measure, which seemed to contribute to today’s smooth running of boarder control.

A strike next week by boarder officials at Heathrow could grind the airport to a halt unless airlines fly at half capacity. BAA is holding talks with airlines to ask if they will do this, however nothing has been confirmed so far.

Virgin Atlantic and BA said passengers booked on inbound flights on Wednesday could rebook or switch flights for free. BMI said it planned to operate as normal, while Cathay Pacific urged its passengers to postpone and rebook their flights.

In a letter to all airlines operating into Heathrow, chief operating officer Norman Boivin said: “The delays at immigration are likely to be so long that passengers could not be safely accommodated within the terminals and would need to be held on arriving aircraft.

“This in turn would quickly create gridlock at the airport with no available aircraft parking stands, mass cancellations or departing aircraft and diversions outside the UK for arriving aircraft.”

The immigration officials are striking over pensions.

“This union hasn’t taken industrial action at all in its 28-year history. This is something our members feel deeply and desperately strongly about, but nonetheless it’s no-one’s wish to disrupt the border, or to cause chaos to the travelling public. It’s the only way we have left to get the government to hear us.” said Lucy Morton, deputy general of the Immigration Services Union.

Lord Foster, the architect behind London Stansted and Hong Kong’s Chep Lap Kot airports has announced new plans to build an airport in the Thames Estuary. His plans are for an airport capable of handling 150m passengers a year, three times more than Heathrow. It would have four runways and be connected to London by a 30-minute high speed rail service. There would also be rail services to the Midlands, north of England, Suffolk and Essex from the biggest train station in the UK below the airport.

The plans were unveiled the same week that the Coalition government and Labour Party ruled out the possibility of a third Heathrow runway. The government are already in disagreement with London Mayor Boris Johnson’s suggestion that there could be an airport built there, despite claims that lack of flight capacity in the southeast will limit economic growth.

Residents in Kent have already objected to the Mayor’s plans for an airport in the Thames Estuary, but Lord Foster said it would deliver lasting economic, social and environmental  benefits, also improving the lives of the 5m people living under the Heathrow flight path.

IAG, parent carrier to BA and Iberia, has reached a deal with Lufthansa to buy BMI. The deal is believed to be worth over €350 million and is likely to be completed within the first three months of 2012.

BMI may be making a loss at the moment, but it is in control of 9% of coveted slots at Heathrow. Competition authorities could investigate the deal as Virgin Atlantic are expected to oppose the purchase as it would give IAG a rise from around 45% to 54% of landing slots. But speaking to BBC Radio 4, IAG chief executive Willie Walsh said IAG will have around half of the slots at Heathrow, still less than rivals Lufthansa at Frankfurt and Air France/KLM at Paris.

IAG reported a 31% fall in third-quarter profit, which was better than expected in the challenging market, and has prompted the move.

“We think the move would be a clear and meaningful positive for IAG in the long term, but would increase short-term risk, associated with the implementation of the deal. It is not clear how competition authorities will react,” said Andrew Lobbenberg, analyst at the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Eurostar‘s revenue has grown an impressive 7% to £197m for the third quarter of the year compared to that in 2010, pushing total revenues for the year to £617m, up 5% on last year.

Chief executive Nicolas Petrovic said: “We have delivered a solid performance during both the third quarter and the year as a whole, although the tough trading environment across Europe demands a cautious watching brief.”

Passengers numbers from January to September were up 1% to 7.3m. Business Premier sales grew 2% in the third quarter, and leisure travellers were also up by 2%.

The train company remains buoyant regarding the future outlook, saying:  ”Despite the global economic backdrop, London and Europe continues to be a big draw for international travellers. With London 2012 now less than a year away, Eurostar anticipates in increased interest in the UK as a destination as the world’s focus turns to the Games next year.”

Eurostar recently launched a free mobile app to make it easier for customers to book tickets. It also has a £700m investment programme which will also introduce on-board WiFi and a state-of-the-art infotainment system.