shaneslv
21st March 2008, 14:21
READ THIS ONLINE "The first authorised mobile phone call has been made during a commercial flight, meaning the sound of ringtones at high altitudes may become a feature of modern plane travel.
Phone calls and texts could soon be allowed during flights"
Phone calls and texts could soon be allowed during flights
A passenger on an Emirates flight between Dubai and Casablanca made the historical call at 30,000 feet.The airline has said technology made by AeroMobile protects navigation equipment from interference.Passengers normally have to switch their phones onto "flight safe mode" every time they step onto a plane.This practice may soon be entirely abandoned as other airlines clamour to test mid-air mobile use.A spokesperson for British Airways told Sky News Online: "We are looking into the possibility in terms of technology, regulatory practices and whether our customers would want mobile phone use on-board."One option could be to allow text messages but not voice calls, she added.Quantas have already confirmed they will soon allow texting and email on some planes, but not spoken calls. The airline has said there is "overwhelming" customer demand for the service.However, some passengers fear constant chatter and beeping will make plane travel a nightmare.One blogger discussing the development explained: "I fly - a lot, typically 100,000 miles a year. One thing that is nice, especially on the long 10+ hour flights is the ability to work quietly, take a nap, relax and just chill out before what is typically a mad dash when I land.
"The thought of people sitting next to me, yelling into their bluetooth, selling stocks or closing deals is not my idea of fun."Emirates have said flight crews will instruct passengers to keep their mobiles on silent to stop message alerts and ringtones disturbing other travellers.
NOT BEING ABLE TO USE MY PHONE ON FLIGHTS NEAVER REALLY BOTHERED ME BEFORE (I WAS TWO BUSY LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW!!) BUT I SUPPOSE IT WILL BE A BIG PLUS FOR SOME PEOPLE
Phone calls and texts could soon be allowed during flights"
Phone calls and texts could soon be allowed during flights
A passenger on an Emirates flight between Dubai and Casablanca made the historical call at 30,000 feet.The airline has said technology made by AeroMobile protects navigation equipment from interference.Passengers normally have to switch their phones onto "flight safe mode" every time they step onto a plane.This practice may soon be entirely abandoned as other airlines clamour to test mid-air mobile use.A spokesperson for British Airways told Sky News Online: "We are looking into the possibility in terms of technology, regulatory practices and whether our customers would want mobile phone use on-board."One option could be to allow text messages but not voice calls, she added.Quantas have already confirmed they will soon allow texting and email on some planes, but not spoken calls. The airline has said there is "overwhelming" customer demand for the service.However, some passengers fear constant chatter and beeping will make plane travel a nightmare.One blogger discussing the development explained: "I fly - a lot, typically 100,000 miles a year. One thing that is nice, especially on the long 10+ hour flights is the ability to work quietly, take a nap, relax and just chill out before what is typically a mad dash when I land.
"The thought of people sitting next to me, yelling into their bluetooth, selling stocks or closing deals is not my idea of fun."Emirates have said flight crews will instruct passengers to keep their mobiles on silent to stop message alerts and ringtones disturbing other travellers.
NOT BEING ABLE TO USE MY PHONE ON FLIGHTS NEAVER REALLY BOTHERED ME BEFORE (I WAS TWO BUSY LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW!!) BUT I SUPPOSE IT WILL BE A BIG PLUS FOR SOME PEOPLE