Air France passengers to enjoy mobiles on flights

Travelers can soon expect to be able to send text messages, as well as receive and make calls by using their cell phones, on both short and long-haul Air France flights. France’s national airline will allow passengers to use their mobiles on many of its flights, as part of a pilot project aimed at gradually introducing the use of cellular phones on all routes. The current period is seen as a trial phase, and while passengers may send text (sms) message, as well as e-mails, they cannot yet use their phones to make calls.

Allowing passengers to use their mobiles for phone calls, however, is seen as a highly controversial move, even though the airline plans to go ahead with this second phase of the pilot project in 2008. Some passengers are concerned about the disruption of having phones going off at all times of the day and night on long-haul flights, and neighbouring passengers engaging in loud and lengthy telephone conversations on board. Air France did, however, emphasis that it plans to “regulate” mobile voice services, but did not indicate how it will accomplish this.

The current pilot project is taking place aboard AF’s Airbus A-318 jets, all of which are equipped with the necessary mobile technology, known as OnAir. Both Air France and OnAir have indicated, however, that passengers should only expect to be able to use their mobiles once the aircraft has reached its cruising, and after the fasten seatbelt sign has been switched off. As such, mobile phone usage will not be available during take-off and landing.

www.airfrance.com