May 15, 2012 | Pippa

Isn’t a long-haul flight meant to be the last place where you can get away from e-mails and social media?

Not for long. From next year a new array of satellites will allow you to use your smartphone at 10,000 metres. Many airlines offer Wi-Fi already, but it’s slow and cuts out when you’re flying over the sea.

The new satellites offer the prospect of fast, worldwide coverage for net-starved flyers.