plane

Earlier this year the FCC decided to keep a rule in place that requires cell phones to be turned off during airline flights. Europe apparently has a more lax set of standards. The European Aviation Safety Agency has approved a system certification for a cell-phone system on board an aircraft. The approval comes following tests carried out on the Airbus, an airline based in Toulouse, France.

The approval will allow airline operation of the OnAir service that will enable passengers to use their BlackBerry-type devices and mobile phones during flights in Europe. They will be able to make and receive calls in addition to being able to send and receive emails and text messages. Apparently, cabin crew will manage the service and have the option of selecting a “voice-off” mode which only allows SMS text messaging and email services.

Initially the service will be available on Airbus’ Single Aisle Family for short-haul flights in Western Europe. While it's a freedom everyone would like, I'd hate to have a long flight filled with people talking on their cell phones. Some rules were made for a reason.

Source

Boeing Business Jets has unveiled concept drawings that higlight luxury and comfort for its upcoming 787 VIP airplane. The renderings feature custom interior designs for the advanced-technology widebody VIP jet and were displayed at the Middle East Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition in Dubai.

It looks like the idea was to combine plush seating and party/business space as well as provide ample flatscreens and entertainment centers. I wonder if passengers on this jet will be able to use their cell phones.

To check out additional images of the jet,  read more

Despite recent talk about the future of cell phones on planes, the FCC has decided to keep a rule in place that requires cell phones to be turned off during airline flights. According to the AP, the reasoning behind the decision was technical.

"These days it's impossible to get on a bus without at least one person hollering into their cellphone, invading the private space of everyone around them," one member of the public wrote in an e-mail to the FCC. "That's bad enough when one can get off in 10 minutes. To have to suffer through HOURS of such torture, with nowhere to go and miserably cramped conditions — someone is going to explode."

Unlike the Federal Aviation Administration, which bans the use of cellphones and other portable electronic devices for fear they will interfere with navigational and communications systems, the FCC's concern is interference with other cellphone signals on the ground.

In January, the New York Times reported that Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, installed satellite-based technology that allows voice calls and text messaging on one of its Boeing 777’s late last year and expects to begin offering the service to passengers on an international route. Emirates said calls will work at altitudes above 9,800 feet to avoid potential interference with land systems. The downside is users will reportedly be billed at $3 to $3.50 a minute for outbound and inbound calls.

Recently, I went on a trip and as I took my seat on the plane, I heard a faint and desperate sound. "Meow...meow...meowwwwww." I turned to the woman next to me and asked, "Did you hear a cat?" "Two," she said, and pointed. Yup. There were 2 cats cramped in little cat carriers under the seat for a 7 hour plane ride.

My first thought was, "Those poor kitties," and my second thought was, "Poor me." Although I love cats, I am also highly allergic to them. Needless to say, my trip was an asthma attack waiting to happen.

So what's the deal? You can't bring more than 4 oz of liquid on the plane, but you can bring a friggin cat? Most airlines, like Delta do allow you to buy a one-way ticket for your pet, but they have to be small enough to fit in a carrier under the seat in front of you. And you're not allowed to let them out. So when do they get to use the bathroom? I don't wanna know.

As if flying doesn't already do enough to your precious sinuses, now we have to worry about sneezing, itchy watery eyes too. I guess enough people haven't complained about this.

Let me be the first to say it. Pets don't belong on planes. It gives them a little furry heart attack being cramped up and not knowing what's going on. Lots of folks have pet allergies so pet owners and the airlines need to consider this before causing someone a major allergic meltdown.

On a similar side note - Kids should not be allowed to bring whistles on board either.

Flying gets you where you want to go, but sometimes it seems like your body has to catch up to where you are. Because we fly up to almost 500 miles an hour, we can arrive in different time zones after a fairly short flight.

I'm sure you've experienced jet lag before. It totally screws with your body and your mind. Some symptoms include the obvious - daytime drowsiness, foggy mind, irritability, difficulty concentrating, headaches, trouble sleeping, and swelling of your hands and feet.

Your body clock, also known as the circadian rhythm, is programmed for regular cycles of day and night - and this cycle gets totally disturbed. Depending on how many time zones you've crossed, it may take several days to restore the circadian rhythm.

Other factors that can make jet lag worse are the cabin pressure that your body is not used to and stale dry air.

Want to know what you can do to help your body adjust? Then read more