4 in 5 don't want mobiles on planes

[Greg McDonald]

FOUR in five travellers say the introduction of mobile phones on planes would drive them crazy, a survey has found.

Travel website totaltravel.com asked 1490 people over four weeks whether mobile phone usage should be allowed on aircraft.

More than 80 per cent of respondents answered no, saying that having to listen to fellow passengers talk on their mobile phone for hours would be hugely irritating.

Only 11 per cent said using mobiles on planes for business and phoning family and friends would be a good idea.

Seven per cent did not care either way.

But totaltravel.com global marketing manager Paul Fisher said people might have to get used to the idea.

Emirates this year became the first airline to introduce in-flight mobile phone services on a Boeing aircraft.

And Qantas is evaluating new technology that will allow customers to use the internet and email, and send and receive text messages from mobile phones or laptops.