The days of switching off mobile phones in-flight appear numbered

[Kurt A]

New technologies take flight

The days of switching off mobile phones in-flight appear numbered, with new breakthroughs by Qantas and Emirates.

Qantas will allow passengers to send and receive email and SMS messages in-flight from later this year.

Qantas has spent months trialling the technology that will allow customers to send and receive email and SMS via mobile phone or personal electronic device.

An overwhelming majority of passengers involved in the evaluation indicated they wanted access to in-flight connectivity on an ongoing basis, Qantas Executive General Manager John Borghetti said.
The technology will initially be installed on a number of domestic B767-300 and A330-200 aircraft.

Customers wanting to send or receive an SMS will require only a GSM phone and a global roaming account, while customers wanting to send or receive emails will need a GPRS enabled device like a Blackberry or an appropriately equipped laptop.

The announcement has come at the same time Emirates airlines became the first carrier in the world to commercially launch an in-flight mobile phone service.

Emirates told media that the first authorised mobile telephone call made from a commercial flight was made from an Emirates Airbus A340-300 aircraft travelling from Dubai to Casablanca last Thursday.

The aircraft is the first in the airline's fleet to be fitted with the AeroMobile system, which ensures mobile telephones operate at minimum power during flights so as to not interfere with aircraft electronics, AFP reported.

- Travelpress