So glad to see people supporting a continued ban on mobile phones on airliners. I am a Flight Attendant . We have a fantastic Business Class with lie flat beds. Our guests pay alot of money to use these beds. The last thing they want to hear is some idiot in the middle of the night bleating away

Neil Madsen, Auckland, New Zealand

No, no no! A 20 minute train ride with some ignorant, loud chatterbox is bad enough, can you imagine a 14 hour flight being surrounded by such people? I for one will refuse to use any airline which introduces them.

Milla, London, UK

I travel every week ( at the moment to and from Spain to Sweden) the day they (the airlines) start to allow calls on board is the day I change airline. Ailines be aware - I am not alone

mark, Enköping & Hondarribia, Sweden & Spain

After week in & week out of contstantly working , I relish a flight anywhere , as I know there will be no phone calls of any kind for the precious few hours that I get to myself.

Khalid Iqbal, Dubai, UAE

Aggh! Please no! It is bad enough that we have to pay through the nose for the seats now. I dont want to have to sit through hours of pointless drivel being shouted into a mobile by someone sitting next to me in a cramped aircraft. Dont do it!

Julian Eagles, Bury St Edmunds, UK

Whilst not a businessman I choose to travel business class for the quieter journey. It is bad enough travelling on trains where there are constant calls and people tend to shout on mobiles . If Emirates install the use of mobile phones I shall probably move to Qatar.

D.Purdy, NORMANTON, West yorkshire.

NO ONE is that important!

Derek, Perpignan, France

the proposed use of mobile phones on aircraft has nothing to do with demand and everything to do with revenue, hence Ryanair's interest. May common sense prevail.

Robin, London,

Mobile phones, masts and technology are bad enough radiating our brains on ground without being poisoned by circulating gasoline air as well, thank you very much!

M. Collett, London, UK

a) there is the nuisance of the mobile phone user

b) there is the security issue. Who knows that an explosive device in the hold could not be activated by a mobile phone?

Sally, Newport,

There is little enough peace on an airliner as it is, so to allow mobile phone use will drive us all mad! It would seriously make me think twice about using air travel, if it is allowed. I would definitely boycott any airline which allowed it.

Catherine Parker, Lincoln, UK

If the technology is available for mobile phones than it will also be possible for passengers, who cannot bear to out of touch with those left behind, to be able to use email on laptops. This would be far less annoying and even amusing, when the meal & drinks trolley arrives. (seat back table!!!)

D J Fraser, Arboleas, Spain

Have just returned from visiting Japan where talking on a mobile is not allowed on ANY form of public transport, what a joy - in fact, the Japanese are so polite that they apologise if a phone even rings! (they're all very good at texting of course)

Eleanor, Ashford,

People who don't see the problem are the problem.

Peter, Sittingbourne, Kent

The only truly downtime I have is when I fly. The last thing I need on a flight is a call/email from office.

Kara Swart, London, UK

Join in on the conversation. That usually succeeds in bringing the telephone call to a rapid end.

C Byrne, Pinner, UK

why not ? .... no doubt the airline will charge a hefty premium for airtime traffic via their on-board node ... perhaps there can be an area set aside for making & recieving voice calls (the toilet ?) .... in-flight text messaging would be welcome as would wi-fi & power outlets for laptops

r rogers, bedford, UK

Please no!! I would certainly choose to fly with an air carrier that did not permit use of mobiles. The problem being that once everyone gets used to the idea that using a mobile wont cause the pilot to lose all sense of direction and plough into a tree then people will start to use them anyway :(

Sarah, London, UK

yeah it's scary at first, cos no one knows what it's ACTUALLY like. in reality it's fine. i've been on a plane with the technology and not only was it NOT annoying, it was actually kinda conventient. most people are only using sms messages anyway.

Mod, London, UK

I don't know what all the fuss is about. If Gordon Brown has his way, very few of us will soon be able to afford to fly.

Bob MacDougall, Stirling, UK

Yes, by all means yes!

Listening to someone talk on the phone may be anoying, but not half as annoying as having to spend an entire flight from London to Hong Kong listening to an air conditioner saleseman from Milton Keynes go on and on about his cat and two dogs.

You know who you are!

Christopher Patton, Jakarta, Indonesia

I only make about 10 flights a year, but this will be a factor in deciding which carrier I choose. bmi and Air France will be two that will lose my custom.

Paul M, Puerto del Rosario, Spain

Andrew, Newcastle, asked:
whats the difference between speaking to someone sitting next to you, and speaking on a mobile phone?
None.But strangely nearly all callers think the other party is deaf, hence the unjustified shouting - thus almost 90% here don't want the damn things on the plane.

Michael Martin-Morgan, Rosal, Spain

How soon will it be before we see phone rage?

Why don't the airlines listen to the majority who don't want it?

So how will an airline compensate me if I buy a business class of first class ticket when I protest to sitting next to someone using a mobile?

Anna, Dubai, UAE

Andrew, Newcastle

Because everybody talks twice as loudly on a mobile phone than they do normally.

Rod, Preston,

whats the difference between speaking to someone sitting next to you, and speaking on a mobile phone

Andrew, Newcastle,

But people talk inanely when they're speaking to people they're with. Are you going to ban that? Also, should the engines be silenced? Mobiles on planes will be a good fight-back against the control-culture among those who run public transport. They forget they are there to serve, not regulate, us.

Paul Danon, London,

Aeroplanes are very noisy, so anyone trying to hold a mobile phone conversation will have to shriek to be heard. Given that passengers are crowded into close proximity to strangers mobile phone usage will be antisocial beyond belief!

Martin, Maidenhead, UK

It is dreadful in the subway,
it is dreadful in a bus - how nice can it be to listen to important nonsense in a plane?

Peter Vernunft, Berlin, Germany

One issue is that of possible increased terrorism as happened in Madrid - remote-detonation of bomb/s via mobile phone - Imagine security checks...

What of the possibility of a 'pay-as-you-go' type kept by the flight attendants for emergency cases? a fee structure could be considered beforehand.

Chantal, Perpignan, France

God can you imagine having to sit in close proximity of some show off that wants everyone and their dog to here what he has purchased, what he is going to get, how successful he is, or bragging about his latest conquests to his mates. NO THANK YOU Airlines. Flying can be tortuous as it is.

Mark Websper, Margate, England

I don't mind use in the first and last 30 minutes of a long-haul flight...but in-between I'd rather not as I might not want my sleep or relaxation disturbed. I can't move away, so I don't want it in my face.

Liane, London,

I think this could backfire. Those most willing to pay the charges will be in the more expensive seat classes and the extra annoyance could provide a disincentive to book a more expensive seat.
You'll be begging not to be upgraded!

Rich, London, UK

I completely agree with the last 3 comments by DJ, Matthew and Nick. The question is not "is it safe?" but "is it necessary?". And the answer is a resounding NO.

Margie, Barcelona, Spain

This is KAFKIAN! Only 15% of voters think people should be allowed to phone in a airplane,, We are talking aboy the passengers, right? I won't be driving of anything!

When will I be handcuffed and put to irons when entering an airplane that isn't even going to Guantanamo???!!!

Rui, Lisbon, Portugal

The question is why do we need to be able to use mobile phones on planes ? Having to use public transport everyday and having to listen to the inanities of the populace on their phones ... add this onto the tight confines of airline travel , and watch air rage incidents increase tenfold

nick , Wickford,

Mobile phones on planes - DON'T DO IT! It's annoying enough having to travel on public transport with someone screaming down the phone about the goings on on their favorite TV show. At least on the bus or train you can move.

I would not fly with any airline thats allows the use of mobile phones

Matthew, Caterham, England

Email/internet -- super.

Mobiles -- no thank you.

The difference is that one is quiet and personal, the other noisy and public, particularly in the confines of an aircraft cabin.

A separate 'mobile zone' at the back perhaps, but I doubt that such a thing would be economic for the airlines.

DJ, Brill, UK

Having a mobile phone used on board HAS to be a security threat.

Richard, Plymouth,

You are all incredible....I still wonder what can be so important that one has to hang on to one's phone 24/7. I have an international business and only my office has my cell phone number. So if something is very very very important they, and only they can contact me. And I even hate that !

E. Bee, Toulouse, France

If you come from Hampshire or Toronto the idea of using a phone in the air could be almost justified by thoughts of the reasonableness of other passengers. There are many parts of the world where this concept just does not exist.

Here in Dubai phones ring and are answered (loudly) in the cinema.

David, Dubai, UAE

I don't think phones should be allowed on board for all the reasons stated by other commenters.

BUT allowing phones on flights will at least keep ppl occupied. I can't believe no trans-euro flights provide entertainment. Qantas provides non-stop entertainment for domestic flights & cost less!

brooke, London, UK

Flying is stressful enough without having to put up with the moron next door shrieking down their mobile.

Michael Smith, Southampton, UK

This would be a truly awful innovation! its bad enough being trapped next to a "phoneaholic" on a train, but the same scenario on a long haul flight doesn't bear thinking about... Flying Qatar Airways just became a whole lot more attractive!!

Col Barber, Sydney, Australia

Absolutely not, think of the worst train trip you've had with endless people shouting 'I'm on the train' and times that by at least 100. I find it frightening enough already how casually people will use their phone even while taking off and landing - Air Arabia is a massive culprit of this.

Suzanne, Dubai, UAE

So after 11 comments it's 100% no to allowing calls. Why then would the airlines just choose to ignore their customers? The government has and see where it 's currently got them. just for once give us what we want and not what you think we should have.

mark, surbiton,

i have no choice but to fly with sas, if they were to allow mobile phones to be used ... i would go by ferry or learn to walk on water or swim ,i love my mobile but not on a plane ..

alison ryeng, sandnes, norway

Why not have a discreet area where mobiles are allowed? I certainly don't want to sit near someone shouting into a mobile phone if I'm reading, watching a movie or listening to music on headphones. People need to learn to have time out and relax, morons have these things clamped to their head 24/7.

Tom Moncrieff, London , England

I don't want to sit beside someone yacking on a cell phone during a flight. If anyone wants to use email or text messaging, the silent and courteous chat options, then that is peachy and I'll do it too.

Linda, Rouge,

I don't want to sit beside someone yacking on a cell phone during a flight. If anyone wants to use email or text messaging, the silent and courteous chat options, then that is peachy and I'll do it too.

Linda, Toronto, Canada

The only place you can escape the annoying ring tones is once airborne. Please say no to this final invasion of peace and quiet and a chance to read a good book !

Anna, Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex

Given the choice I will fly the airline that doesn't allow mobile phones.

Robert, Hampshire,

Mobile phones in flight would be too annoying. It's bad enough listening to them before the plane leaves the terminal. But in-flight mobile broadband would be fantastic. I don't see anything wrong with allowing passengers to go online. It would help pass those long hours, and you can "chat" quietly.

Mary, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK

I use my cell all the time and travel frequently for a variety of reasons...If anything the airplane is the last baston that exists where you are not forced to listen to someone talk about what they are having for dinner! I know I wouldnt want to listen to myself and welcome the silence it brings

Rich, Edinburgh, UK

Im much more interested in having email / internet use in the air. As for mobiles, text messaging (ON SILENT) is fine, but I have no desire to listen to someone's conversation at 24,000 feet at 130 decibels.

liza, London, UK

It will create a lot of friction between passengers,the aggravation will be totally unacceptable to the greater majority of travellers,the nuisance value cannot be described and the needless air rage it will create is unavoidable.

Tunde Taiwo, Lagos, NIGERIA

As long as the technology is safe, I don't see a problem.
Mobile phones are less phone and more multimedia device now - I'd be happy to set my phone to reject all calls and stick with all the other options available to me.

Mark, Deal, Kent