Ryanair, Qantas (finally) adding in-flight calling!
We've got good news for frequent fliers in Europe and Australia: Qantas and Ryanair (this author's personal fav airline for obvious reason) have announced their respective additions of picocells for in-flight calling, texting, and presumably (eventually) also data. Qantas Boeing 767s and Ryanair 737s will begin rolling out AirBus subsidiary OnAir's cellular satellite uplinked connections to their customers as early as June or July 2007 in Ryanair's case, with full rollout on that fleet expected in 2008. We don't know how much further behind launch Qantas is, but obviously they've stated their intentions to enter the in-flight cell arena, so it's only a matter of time. Too bad that Connexion was scrapped just when things are looking up for future-thinking fliers, but maybe, just maybe we finally can all throw out the ages-old argument of cellphones being dangerous for use in flight.P.S. -Uh, please don't whip out your phones in flight. You do realize that it's still illegal in the US right? Use your phone on a plane that's not parked or taxiing and the FAA and TSA might disembowel you on the spot for the infraction. Kthxbye.
Read - Qantas
Read - Ryanair
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MR. @ Aug 30th 2006 6:16PM
With all of the stuff that has been going on lately I will be amazed if you are able to do anything on a flight other than read and drink. Everyone knows that terrorissts use cell phones to blow up bombs and I for one am glad not to hear someone on the phone next to me on a flight.
Laker @ Sep 7th 2006 12:56AM
I agree. Airplanes are one of the last places where we aren't forced to listen to everyone around us loudly sharing the boring details of their personal lives. Getting stuck in a middle seat is bad enough - having to also listen to the person next to you yak on their phone for 3 hours would just be adding insult to injury. Productivity be damned - I hope they never allow cell phone usage on domestic flights.
John Little @ Jun 8th 2007 5:19PM
Actually it is a UK company called AeroMobile that is installed on the Qantas aircraft that started service in May this year. We are still waiting on the RyanAir trial.