GeekSugar

Air France's In-Flight Phone Service Isn't As Great As Expected

GeekSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 06:00:26 -0700

When Air France first announced that they would be rolling out an in-flight telephone service, I couldn't help but ask if you would want to talk on the phone in an airplane. Over seventy percent of you replied with a no because you wouldn't want to disturb anyone sitting near you.

Although many U.S. airlines have steered clear from offering cell phone use in airplanes for this very reason, Air France's in-flight calling service is now in full swing. Like anything else in its trial phase, there are certainly some glitches to iron out. According to The New York Times, a man who called Paris during an Air France flight could barely hear the other person and was told that he sounded like a small robot. The quality of technology that allows passengers to make and receive calls is said to need some improvement, and not only that, but on-board roaming charges cost about $5 a minute!

Would You Talk on the Phone on an Airplane?

GeekSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 04:45:00 -0700

Even if you don't want to get away to some electricity-free island and break free from your tech, I bet everyone appreciates the short break from remote communication you get while flying. When I see one of those antique in-flight phones, I thank God they were too much of a hassle to use, because if someone near me in our ever-decreasing-sized seats were gabbing away, it would go something like this - Me: bald Britney with the umbrella, them: the SUV.

So, cell phone enthusiast though I may be, I'm not exactly excited about Air France's testing out in-flight calling. It's only on a trial basis for now, and Air France has said they'd discontinue the service if calls became a problem, but I can't see this NOT becoming a problem. Sure, you say, if it's for emergencies only, it might be OK, but I already know plenty of people for whom EVERYTHING is an emergency. So, holla: Would you call someone in an airplane?

Source

European Airlines Gets Approval For In Flight Calls

GeekSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:00:44 -0700

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

Airline Will Allow Cellphone Service During Flight!

GeekSugar — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 00:09:31 -0800

There has been endless debate over the use of cellphones on airplanes during flight, and while most of us know you can use a cell phone without disrupting the plane, we still aren't allowed to use it - until now. According to the New York Times, 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 yet to be announced early next month.

Apparently, 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. For more about this, just read more

A handful of other airlines, including Air France-KLM, Ryanair and Qantas, are expected to offer similar service in Europe and Australia later this year. Travelers in North America will await the outcome of reviews by the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration, the NYT said. While some might argue it isn't necessary to have access to cell phone use when you are 10,000 feet above the ground, I see this as an exciting trend. Pretty soon we'll all be using wifi in the sky too!

Will Airlines Allow Integrated iPod Service?

GeekSugar — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 14:35:58 -0800

Just when I thought I couldn't find a person on earth without the token white iPod headphones stuffed in their ears, iPods have taken to the skies too. Apple has announced it will team up with a handful of international airlines and integrate iPods into their in-flight entertainment systems. Macworld magazine reports that Continental, Delta, Emirates and United are among a fleet of airlines that will soon offer iPod seat connections to charge and power iPods during flights. The airlines will also allow fliers to watch the videos that are stored on their iPods on the mini airplane back-of-the-seat monitors. For more about this, read more

The news isn't all happy tunes though. Apparently Air France and KLM have disputed Apple's announcement and claim it's too early to confirm any details regarding an agreement.

As someone who has jumped on a plane or two only to realize my iPod battery was painfully low, I see this announcement as a really exciting thing. I do however, wonder if airlines will consider making the system compatible with other MP3 and video players.