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In-Flight Cellphone Calls To Be Allowed On Virgin Atlantic Flights
Passengers on Virgin Atlantic will soon be able to make in-flight cellphone calls, send texts and browse the web on their way home from Europe, it was just announced. The new service is part of the airline's upgrade to the Airbus A330, which will also provide expanded in-flight entertainment, USB ports and a very spiffy upper class. Cellphone service will initially be available only on London to New York flights, but will be expanded to more cities by the year's end. There are a lot of caveats, however: you'll need to be on a Vodafone or O2 network, only 10 calls will be allowed at one time and service won't be cheap. Calls will cost 1 GBP per minute and texts 20p each. You'll also still need to turn off your devices for takeoff and landing, and turn them off within 250 miles of US airspace, so no flight-long games of Words With Friends.Gadling readers: would you use this service? Do you think it's any improvement over the old-school in-flight phones? Or will it just be another amazing innovation that no one appreciates?
[Photo courtesy Flickr user Highways Agency]
Filed under: Gear, Europe, North America, United Kingdom, United States, Airlines, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Koz May 14th 2012 2:57PM
Who that is great but I already do it here in the states.
Andy Tangeman May 14th 2012 3:07PM
That is a really dumb idea. Flying today is bad enough, I cannot begin to imagine what is will be like if everyone is jabbering on their cell phones. Always some loud mouth that will want to impress his seatmates with the big deals he is conducting.
I think Sir Richard is a great guy but he doesn't ride steerage in his airplanes.
I vote against any cell phone use on airplanes.
C May 15th 2012 4:16PM
Well stated!
glennm May 15th 2012 6:39PM
+2 on first half of post...........those people are anoying
Joseph7820 May 15th 2012 6:58PM
My sentiments exactly. There goes the ability to sleep on long flights. It's bad enough with loud speaking passengers sitting near you.
Sher May 14th 2012 3:16PM
GREAT - chatty cathys all around us...various languages...ringing phones....UGH.
Kassie May 14th 2012 4:09PM
For the most part, cellphone users are rude, talk so loud, like we really give a hoot what they have to say. Love the women in the grocery stores who must talk on their phones while they shop. Take their phones away and they will go into withdrawal requiring Valium I/V push!
jim May 15th 2012 6:53AM
I completely agree!
Chuck May 14th 2012 3:22PM
The last thing I want to hear when flying is people gabbing on their phones the entire flight! When will they offer flights for NO CELLPHONE users?
guest May 14th 2012 4:25PM
hear! hear!
Josh May 14th 2012 3:27PM
About time... I can see a lot of perks to this but at the same time drawbacks. I am a business person and I could see myself talking none stop an entire flight which isn't really fare to the people next to me.
Overall, I have mixed emotions. I see a lot of upside, but the downsides are just as equal.
Paul May 14th 2012 3:39PM
Not a good idea!
Josh May 15th 2012 3:37PM
Maybe they should add a Business Class that is what it sounds like. An area for business people to work, so they are not disturbing others that are not.
Josh May 14th 2012 3:35PM
How about they create an area on the plan like a "Business Class" that gives people a place to do business, talk on their phones, and other similar things.
nicholas capozzi May 14th 2012 11:57PM
I fly1st If you think I want to hear these bloted people on their phone you're wrong, not when I pay 5 times the cost of coach
Bill May 14th 2012 3:49PM
Why don't they install sound proof phone booths and not make them to comfortable this would help for shorter calls and not bother the people around them.
Alex Nokhodchi May 14th 2012 3:51PM
How about if you be kind enough if put some air line from U.S to Iran straight a way and gave some hope to Iranian people,forget about Bloody politic,we are all Human,we need better plain and cheaper price,what we can do to make the life better for every one?
garypeter May 14th 2012 4:08PM
If a person cannot stay off the phone for the 7 hours it takes to get from Heathrow or Gatwick to New York, then there is a major blip going on in one's life. I know that the A-330 offers so much more privacy that other upper class planes, (I flew to Rome on a redone Upper Class and the configuration was amazing. 1 seat..2 seats, facing opposite directions..then another seat. 4 in one row! I didn't believe it until I boarded. Was amazing, the privacy, et al. HOWEVER, this new found privacy did not prevent me from hearing other's conversations, snoring, etc. To have one or more people on a 7 hour flight chatting away, as they have nothing better to do, like read...or even catch a film, would be heinous. All the perks of the space would be dashed to smithereens due to 'yadda yadda yadda'! Also, again, if one cannot 'hang up' for 7 hours, then they had better take a long look at their lives for there is no reason to have to be connected 24/7. I won't even get an iPhone as there is nothing so important that either a call, itself, or time won't fix. Don't need to know every time I have been 'tagged' on FB or emailed. It can wait. If I were at the office, would be different, but while driving, having a latte, a cosmo, etc....is my time. We need to relearn how to be in one place at one time. Bad Idea. I get the financial end of it and they will take in lots of money, but for those of us not partaking...it will be one hellish flight.
rod May 14th 2012 3:57PM
I feel I need to speak for those passengers who are already stressed from all the TSA issues they face once in the airport screening and now once onboard the flight all they may really want is some time to perhaps enjoy what ever little space afforded to them in their class of service. And now with the invasion of some inconsiderate onboard neighbor whether in the next seat or row, their voice can be heard by others who also really want their flight time to pass as quickly and quietly as possible without the audible intrusion bestowed upon them. Perhaps any Airlines that will eventually offer Inflight Cell phone service will also off a Quiet Zone which bans the their use? Just a thought for us Travelers who want peace and quiet and don't even get me started about the parents who can't think ahead and bring devices, etc. to keep their kids quiet too. I don't hate kids, I just want my time on my flights to be as comfy and relaxing as possible. > Concerned PAX
Lisa May 14th 2012 3:57PM
Now I have to listen to all the idiots problems as many are too loud with their calling.