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Emirates Airlines bringing Internet and mobile phone calls to entire A380 fleet by 2012
Emirates, the world's largest customer of the Airbus A380 just announced that its entire fleet of super jumbos will be outfitted with in-flight Internet and mobile phone technology by 2012. The service is provided by Swiss firm OnAir, and will offer voice calls, data and text messaging on its entire route network using Inmarsat SwiftBroadband satellites.
According to Emirates, the technology has been fully certified by the aircraft manufacturer. The CEO of OnAir said: "There is no question about it being safe." And to be honest, I trust them 100% - because OnAir is a joint venture of aviation IT firm SITA and Airbus, the company that builds the A380, so they do know a thing or two about their own planes.
The timing is great, as our very own Heather Poole explained in a Galley Gossip article why she demands mobile phones be turned off - it is the law, and she enforces it. Of course, once the airlines start finding ways to make money off in-flight calls, the dangers of mobile phone usage will quickly be forgotten. Obviously, the new technology still won't allow for calls during the takeoff and landing stage of a flight, just to be on the safe side (and prevent phones from becoming projectiles).
The first Emirates A380 with OnAir service will be ready by June 2012, so one can only hope that passengers learn some basic in-flight phone call etiquette by then.
[Photo credit: RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
dan Jul 21st 2010 9:23AM
You "hope" people learn some basic in-flight phone edict? your kidding right? At least 1/2 the cell phone users are totality self absorbed. Newer aircraft are far easier to make safe for cell phone use but do you REALLY want to here about some clowns aunts surgery at some ultra hi noise level. What is it people? have you all forgotten your quiet inside voice, or typical of people today, you just don't give a @#$%?
DecaturDog Jul 21st 2010 9:47AM
You are 100% correct. I can't imagine any flight with the idiot in the seat next to me shouting at someone on the phone. Already, the rail system in Atlanta, MARTA, is full of rude teenagers who shout obsenities to their "friends" while on the bus. When an adult asked one young woman to keep it down, she let him have it with the foulest language I've heard outside of movie theaters. When she disembarked the train, the entire car full of riders applauded. Get ready - it's going to happen!
ajschrod Jul 21st 2010 12:06PM
How true, Dan. Perhaps the airlines will anticipate that unwanted noise and issue earmuffs to passengers desiring them!
Boni Jul 21st 2010 9:51AM
Use another airline, BOYCOTT them!!!!!!!!!
DON'T FLY THIS AIRLINE!!!!!
panda6 Jul 21st 2010 10:03AM
2012!!! THIS is gonna be the cause of the end of the world!
I'm sorry I couldn't resist.
Alice Jul 21st 2010 10:20AM
That's all we need is to have some loud person on a cell phone on an airplane. There is a device available called a "Cell Phome Jammer" which can be bought on E-Bay. With the push of a button, it jams phones within 30 feet or more.
Brad Jul 21st 2010 10:26AM
I hope that they will have a cell-phone area on the plane and a non-cell phone area. I am certain few people want to hear anyones one-sided, simple-minded conversation. It's annoying anyplace, but usually you can leave the area when these low-intelligence people start their verbal garbage.
Tom Jul 21st 2010 10:39AM
Being on a multi-hour flight in a cramped seat is bad enough.
I can't imagine the emotional pain of having to endure it with an adjacent (or nearby) passenger talking endlessly on a cell phone.
At first, I would politely ask the person to cease their rude activity.
After that, and at the risk of being thrown in jail, I'd be tempted to grab the damned thing and smash it.
Jim B Jul 22nd 2010 8:58AM
Great! now I get to listen to half a dozen cell phone addicts yell into their cell phones.
It's bad enough when you have to listen to their conversations in public or in restaurants but to be trapped in an aircraft for several hours is the ultimate torture.
joan stuart Jul 21st 2010 11:42AM
We all knew that this would happen at some point. What about 'texting only ' being allowed. It's quiet and wil keep some people busy. To allow people to talk on their phones will cause lots of problems. It's enough that we have to listen to this stuff in the airport.
Tom Jul 21st 2010 11:42AM
First of all, the airplanes in use today are 1000% safe for cell phone useage. They will not and cannot interfere with any electronics on the plane. Anything said to the contrary is either propaganda, or purposely misleading. The reason they have you shut off all electronics is for courtesy of other flyers. My uncle works for United, as a tech, he knows all about it. Second, when they allow cell phones, Im gona start driving. Its bad enough to sit next to somebody that wont stop talking, without the same ass making 100 calls, or talking thru the whole flight. I like to sleep on a plane. people , not all, but most of them are obnoxious and discourteous on planes. They should have 2 sections on a plane. Those that know how to fly, and can take a seat in under an hour. And the rest of the idiots, who for some reason, cant sit their asses down once they get on a plane.
merreprankster Jul 21st 2010 11:51AM
Phone call etiquette? You've go to be kidding. Most of those cell phone calls made in airport waiting rooms are meaningless clap-trap conversation made by bored and inconsiderate pigs sitting by who could care less about invading your right to privacy and make you listen to and share their selfish chatter about what they did at the office today or what they will have for dinner that night. These are the rudest people on the planet and they should be made to make those calls in the special room with the smokers. I hope excessive cell phone use causes infertility.
merreprankster Jul 21st 2010 11:52AM
Alice, thank you for the information on the jammer. It's a real salvation and I certainly will purchase one. Everyone should.
Jeff Jul 21st 2010 12:02PM
I flew on a flight in May from Kuwait to Egypt. Cell phones were allowed after we got to cruising altitude. This was on a Wataniya Airlines flight. International rates were charged. From what I understand, most of their flights already have this service available. There are advantages such as letting the person know who is picking you up when you are 45 minutes out. Not a bad thing. The phones were not used as much as you would think. Remember it is expensive to make the call.
todd Jul 21st 2010 12:07PM
All valid points however what about if someone gets a call with tragic news of a sudden death of a loved one, or getting fired, devoriced, a cheating parter etc? Everyone knows that this is the reason why phones are not allowed in the first place. It has nothing to do with electronic or in-flight equipment interference.
SkyBlue Jul 21st 2010 12:19PM
Airplanes used to be a haven away from the incessant, inane use of phones. It was their only good thing in a comfortless cabin. Soon on planes everywhere we'll be subjected to the nonsensical and needless jabbering of people on their phones: "What're you doing? I'm still on the plane, and we're still an hour from the airport. When we land, I have to go to the store and buy broccoli for dinner tomorrow........"
God help me, I'll go insane.
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stew Jul 21st 2010 1:21PM
if i recall correctly, there have already been phones on planes. i'm sure that i have seen them. they are usually located right in front of you, on the back of the seat of the passenger sitting in front of you. i think it was called 'airphone'. calls were expensive...but, allowed.
Larry W. Bruce Jul 21st 2010 1:39PM
This is the worst idea since the Edsel. It's enough to put up with a crying baby and some kid kicking the back of your seat half way through your flight. Now some loud mouth, gossip chatting, screaming idiot on a cell phone sitting next to me on a plane. I may need to re-think, possibly taking the train or driving to my next destination !!!
brad Jul 21st 2010 1:47PM
I agree with most of the comments about cell phone useage on planes. At least on Amtrak, they have quiet cars where no cell phones are allowed. I don't see how they could do that on a plane. If airlines allow cell phone useage they better start now brainstorming ideas for rules such as (1) Only one designated half hour for cell phone use and tell passengers to keep their voices down and don't make calls unless it is very important. While they are at it, airlines should think of ways to (1) makes seating areas much more spacious and comfortable; perhaps they could intorduce a premium seat, somewhere between coach and first class in price that is more spacious; (2) improve the food; charge for better meals; (3) have a special section for small children and cell phone users. The cost of airline tickets is very high but what you get in return needs a lot of improvement.