European carriers to test OnAir inflight cellphone service

The FAA may make sure you'll never be able to make cellphone calls on U.S. flights, much to the chagrin of Boeing (which would love some customers for its Connexion inflight calling service) and to the joy of sleepy travelers. However, Europe is determined to go its own way on inflight calling, and two carriers — TAP Air Portugal and British budget airline bmi — have announced the first major trial runs for OnAir, a Connexion rival developed by Airbus and Dutch company SITA Information Networking Computing. "This trial will guide us on usage patterns and some of the social issues in using mobile phones on aircraft," bmi Chief Executive Nigel Turner told the AP. We can make some guesses about the social issues, and we hope Turner has hired some tough flight attendants, who can deal with the battles that are sure to break out once inflight calling begins.

[juliuss @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

A friend of mine just took a near-empty flight from coast to coast, and he told me that the pilot was walking around first class hanging out with people, when he decided to pull out his cell and make a call.

Apparently, pilots do it all the time.

Yes, it could be that they just know when their calls aren't likely to "interfere with cockpit communications systems" -- but I think it's more likely that it doesn't hurt a thing.

[[David:moua] @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

What was his phone ?

You can sometime make a call near ground but not at 32K foot @ 530 MPH.

The system that will be used on european air lines use a macro cell to communicate with gsm and satellite to the ground.

[David:moua]

[Robert S. @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Notice anything unusual about the plane that is pictured? Why does it have all of that smoke coming from the tips of the wings and the tail? Could this possibly be one of the many planes reportedly emitting chem trails of some unknown chemical over America? HHMM. Very Interesting, indeed.

[Antti @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

If you can make a call in a long-distance coach(bus), why should it be forbidden in an airplane?

[Steven @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I don't think cell phones should be allowed in flight. With all the terrorist activity, this will only aide them.

If people can't live without a cell phone on a 5 hour flight, then they need to be examined.

[Martin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Just got off a long-haul International flight this morning where the Captain announced over the intercom that someone's cell phone was ringing and interfering with the Nav Systems. I think it does make a difference, just not too sure how much

[Gil @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Terrorists? Fuck that. I want some peace at least on the airplane. In trains you have compartments so you don't hear everyone blabbing on the cell but this will get unberable on flights

[Matarroano @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Way to go, Tap Air Portugal!!! One more Portuguese company on the cutting edge of technology, providing a great service to its costumers. Congrats.

[Psyop-er @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Airplane violence will surely rise if they allow this. I can tolerate a conversation on a cross town bus, because I know I will be rid of it in a minute or two.

Any longer than a few minutes, and I will break someone's arms for them.

[[David:moua] @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Something that can limit people to call too long on plane : price.

If it's like roaming, with something like 1$/min (maybe more) i think that useless call will be infrequent by themself.

[David:moua]

[[David:moua] @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Something that can limit people to call too long on plane : price.

If it's like roaming, with something like 1$/min (maybe more) i think that useless call will be infrequent by themself.

[David:moua]

[Andrew @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I don't know what the big deal is. There are already airphones installed in the back of every seat of most planes. I'm sure whatever cell service is implemented will be almost as expensive as the airphones ($1-5/min plus). I don't see this becoming a problem, and I also don't see why they have to bother when they've already got all the airphones there.

[Stephane @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

SITA is the telco that built the network between all the airport of the world (US included)..
The network now belongs to Equant, but SITA is a major shareholder..

[Cambob @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Oh no! CHemtrails!!! cough cough... I think I have lung cancer now.

[Ivan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

#3, that's not smoke. The plane is venting fuel, which is common procedure in emergencies.