Emirates airlines first to allow in-flight mobile calls

Passengers flying on Emirates’ A340-300′s were the first to experience the latest in mobile technology as the airline was the first to offer its customers the opportunity to make in-flight mobile calls.

After getting the go ahead from aviation authorities, the airline, working in collaboration with AeroMobile, was able to install an innovative technology to allow mobile usage on its planes. Mobiles will operate on minimum power so there is no interference with the aircraft’s electronics. The system allows passengers access to voice and data usage, but certain restrictions will still apply. Passengers are limited to a maximum of five or six calls, mobile phones must remain on silent status and no voice usage is permitted on night time flights. Due to security reasons, flight crew and staff will keep a close eye on phone usage. All seats throughout the carrier’s fleet are already equipped with in-seat phones, and allow for email and SMS capabilities. This is made possible because of the in-seat entertainment system available to all passengers. The airline is delighted to be able to offer mobile phone usage in addition to this.

Emirates and AeroMobile are currently working together to further the technological capabilities offered to customers by creating a system to allow for email and GPRS usage. Charges in respect to using mobile phones in the air must be worked out with passengers’ mobile service providers.

Emirates has invested a reported $27 million to install the system on its aircrafts.

www.emirates.com