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From Times Online

September 24, 2008

Airline survey: where we stand on in-flight mobile phone calls

Times Online asked 14 international airlines about their plans for mobile phone calls onboard - here's what they said

Online Surveys & Market Research

Ginny McGrath

Air France

Just completed tests using OnAir mobile phone technology on one Airbus A318 aircraft, which flies within Europe. Air France claimed to be the first airline to test in-flight mobile phone useage on international flights.

The trial included questionnaires that are distributed among passengers to gauge reaction to the service. The results from this survey will influence whether the service is continued beyond this summer.

So far, more than 80 per cent of passengers have been in favour of the text and email services, according to the airline. Results of the reaction to the voice calls will be collated this summer.

Air Malta

No plans to allow mobile phone calls in-flight.

American Airlines

No plans to allow mobile phone calls inflight owing to current US Federal Communication Commission regulations that prohibit the use of mobile phones in-flight.

Currently testing technology on selected domestic US flights that allows customers to use data features of wi-fi enabled phones and PDA devices. This is for text data only, not spoken calls.

Does not allow passengers to use mobile phones onboard for both technical and social reasons.

A spokesman added: “Even if the CAA allowed the use of new mobile phone technology on British aircraft we would have to think very carefully about whether or not we want to allow customers to use them onboard as it could devalue the whole customer experience."

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With your poll and others indicating the vast majority of respondents rejecting in-flight mobile calls, that Airlines either allow, or plan to allow, on-board phone calls suggests that they value some increase in revenue over potential customer disatisfaction.

Mel, Woodbridge,

Being sat next to someone yapping about their weekend sex-fest or how their business deal should go down or being forced to listen to someone's life story by phone cannot be allowed to happen.

As a frequent flier I say YES to Internet Access / SMS but a strong NO to phone calls.

Iain, London, UK

Being stuck on an aircraft next to my boss is absolutley frightening - his mobile is welded to his ear - this must not be allowed - the other passengers are captive and often obliged to remain seated due to seat belt signs being illuminated - I predict an increase in air rage incidents

Michael, Blackheath, UK

I would have thought that the Airlines' aim (particularly on long-haul) flights would be to keep the majority of passengers calm and comfortable. I can think of nothing more likely to spark 'air rage' than someone insensitive talking loudly on his/her mobile for hours on end. Ban mobiles, I say.

Kathy , Newton Abbot, UK

Air travel is so awful anyway, with the majority of us having to be cramped together like sardines that I think mobiles ringing and the subsequent loud conversations (why do people always talk louder on mobiles?) will be rough for the majority of us. I say keep them for ground use.

Barb, Exmouth, England

There is absolutely no case for having mobile phones on aircraft. They should remain banned and I for one will boycott any airline that decides to introduce them.

Philip Martin, Tokyo, Japan

It's hard enough being a captive audience to thoughtless people chattering loudly on their phones on buses and trains, but at least travel distances then are relatively short and there's an end in sight. Having to endure that for so many hours on a long haul flight is absolutely my idea of hell.

Laura, Sydney, Australia

No Contest, ban them on Flights, have consideration for the majority and not the minority, its as simple as that!

M. Speight, Morecambe, England

Airlines should have a "Phone class " where all the mob can be ringing together and let the rest of us travel in peace
Is there no end to this cursed mob craze where one has to be constantly in touch with another individual ?
The mob seems to be like a drug, similar to smokers
withdrawl symptoms

ian, perth, australia

Very few people need to be contactable at all times, so I think phones shouldn't be allowed. Besides, what can you do at 30,000 feet, you can't turn the plane round if there's an emergency

Milli, Salford, England

I am a regular flyer with Qantas, Air Canada & Singapore Airlines. Qantas has started trialing this and I don't like it. Its the hour or so that allows me to escape. As for AC and SQ they dont yet have the systems so i can sleep easy onboard

Jordan Smith, Sydney , Australia

Mobile phones are a generally a curse but could be allowed on shorter domestic/international flights that have a flight time of less than 2 hours.

Mike Potter, Cebu, Philippines

Nothing to do with safety but how can one possibly have a private conversation on a plane. I already hear stuff that should be confidential in commuter trains!!! Additionally, has asking for a bit of peace and quiet on a flight become too much to ask?

Gerardo Machuca, tunbridge wells, UK

It would be quite nice if you were able to communicate especially in a long flight. Trouble is, are most people sensible enough to have their phones on silence mode, speaking only when necessary and without shouting?

Luci, London,

Can't we have some peace from these accursed objects somewhere ? Keep them banned.

Alan, Kerikeri, New Zealand