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British Airways to allow cell phone use on London to New York flights
British Airways has just announced that, beginning this fall, they will allow cell phone use in-flight, but only on business class flights between London and JFK. While talking on cell phones will still be prohibited, the airline will allow passengers to send and receive text messages and have access to the internet.
A BA spokesperson says that the airline will listen to feedback from customers in deciding whether to eventually permit actual cell phone calls. [Desperate plea: Don't do it!]
This move follows a decision made last year by Emirates, which became the first airline to allow in-flight cell phone use, as well as similar experiments by Qantas and bmi.
What do you think, Gadling faithful? Smart idea by an airline trying to please its business-class passengers, or dangerous step on an insidious path leading to constant cell phone chatter on every flight?
More here.
What strange things have been found on planes?
Filed under: Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
Kerri Feb 6th 2009 5:25AM
Babies cry, that is how they communicate their needs. Young children whine, and all children misbehave now and again. On a flight, it is expected that babies and children will be present, and that there will be crying, whining and perhaps some amount of misbehavior. It is also expected that the parents/guardians of those babies and children will make a sincere effort to soothe, shush, and correct their kids. That does not give you, a supposed adult, carte blanche to annoy your fellow passengers because you heard a baby cry or a child kicked your seat. You are an adult, you are supposed to act like one. That means at the very least recognizing that you are not in your living room, but in an enclosed space elbow to elbow and nearly shoulder to lap of a large group of people. It is not a burden to be respectful, and keep the smut talk, the graphic talk, the intensely personal talk for a time when you and your companion have if not privacy, at least not a captive audience of travelers wishing you had a modicum of manners. Keep your language PG and your volume low. It's not rocket science. if you are sitting right next to kids, make sure it's g rated.
It's basic manners, Leah. Be considerate of others. Save the autopsy talk ( as if) for when 12 strangers completely unrelated to the case are not sitting within easy earshot of your voice. It is not only ill-mannered to foist such graphic details on others, it is highly unprofessional. Any forensic scientist who discussed a victim's case in a public setting would be fired and black-balled. Basic consideration for others means you tailor your behavior depending on the circumstances you find yourself in. If you find yourself crammed and jammed into a flying tube that no one can exit, for heaven's sake, realize that SOMEONE there does not want to hear about how wasted you got, how many guys you blew last weekend, your opinions on sexual positions, your intensely personal medical problems, or graphic and grisly details of crime victims.
If you cannot fathom why any of that is inappropriate in a very public setting, than i sure hope that every flight you go on, you have a seatmate who blathers on and on and on about said subjects.
I don't care how old you are, or what generation you think you belong to, it will always be inappropriate to be rude. Ignoring everyone else's feelings because you want to do whatever YOU want to do, and expecting them to put headphones on and turn the music on to avoid hearing you is RUDE.
And in case you are wondering, I am in your same "generation". I just got the home training.
David Feb 21st 2009 1:56AM
I agree they should not be allowed. As a frequent flier, I find that most people on flights are inconsiderate to begin with, let alone arm them with a cell phone to scream in. Many people seem to elevate the volume of the voice while talking on a cell phone. I don't care to have to be forced to listen to someone silly drama or gossip from home that can't wait a few hours to discuss.
It certainly has been nice all these years to have respite and/or sanctuary away from texting, voice mails and technology in the plane. My car used to be that way, just me and the music on the way home, but that luxury and quiet moments are now gone. (which is sad)
Too much communication without resting one's mind will cause everyone to go crazy.