Emirates airline has launched the world's first commercial in-flight mobile telephone service and will spend US$27 million to kit out its entire fleet with the technology.
The first authorized in-flight mobile call was made at 30,000ft on 21 March on Emirates flight EK751 flying between Dubai and Casablanca. The Airbus A340-300 has been equipped with an in-flight mobile system from U.K.-based company AeroMobile.
The AeroMobile system automatically activates once the aircraft reaches 20,000ft. A video then informs passengers they can turn their mobile phones on. Passengers then receive a free text from AeroMobile telling them to switch their mobiles to 'silent' mode out of courtesy to their fellow passengers.
Calls can be made and received while the plane is at cruising altitude. The service also allows text messages to be sent and received. The system allows for a maximum of five or six calls to be made at once. Passengers using AeroMobile will be charged a premium roaming rate.
Emirates said a second aircraft in its fleet is due to be equipped with the in-flight mobile system shortly.
The airline, which signed up to the AeroMobile system back in 2006 and already offers phone calls, e-mail and text messaging via an in-seat entertainment system across its entire fleet, said it will spend US$27 million to fit out its fleet with AeroMobile.
Emirates and AeroMobile said they are working to add the ability to receive BlackBerry e-mail and other GPRS data applications to the system later this year.
Natasha Lomas of Silicon.com reported from London.
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What a Terrible Idea
This is a great reason to not fly Emirates -- an otherwise great airline. Imagine people screaming into their phones to be heard over the engine noise. It is bad enough on public transportation, but in the air. Yuck! In the future there will points of distinction for airlines that do not offer this service.
Posted by Charlie on Thursday, March 27 2008 09:27 AM