Emirates calls in era of mobiles on planes

MOBILE USE: The first authorised mobile phone call on a commercial flight was made on Thursday on an Emirates Airbus A340-300.

Dubai-based airline Emirates said on Thursday it has become the first carrier in the world to launch an inflight mobile telephone service.

It said the first authorised mobile phone call made from a commercial flight was made on Thursday at 30,000 feet onboard an Emirates Airbus A340-300 aircraft travelling from Dubai to Casablanca.

The aircraft is the first in the Emirates fleet to be equipped with the AeroMobile system, which ensures that passenger mobile phones operate at minimum power so as not to interfere with aircraft electronics.

Emirates said it would invest $27 million to fit its fleet with the AeroMobile system.

A second Emirates aircraft, a Boeing 777-300, has already been installed with the system and will be in operation shortly, the airline said.

Emirates said passengers would be restricted to making a maximum of five or six calls during a flight, and cabin crew were able to control the system and block voice calls at certain times, such as during night flights.

It said the service would only be activated when an aircraft is at cruising altitude and cabin crew would advise passengers to switch their phones to silent or vibrate mode when used in the aircraft.

Mobile phone users will be charged in line with premium international roaming rates, which will be billed on their regular phone bills by their own service providers, the airline said.

On aircraft where the AeroMobile system is not installed, existing rules banning the use of mobile phones by passengers remain in force at all times, it said.

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Emirates calls in era of Mobiles on planes
Posted by Cath, Muscat, Oman on Saturday 29 March 2008 at 20:15 UAE time


Let's hope the rest of the airlines don't follow suit. Then at least we will be able to choose another airline and not have to listen to people talking non-stop (usually in very loud voices) whilst travelling. There is just no need for mobile phone usage on airplanes.

Phone calls on Planes..I'd rather have snakes.
Posted by Kieran, London, UK on Tuesday 25 March 2008 at 13:32 UAE time


This should be strictly limited to text messages and emails only. Voice should not be allowed and the silenced phone instruction has to be rigourously enforced; something that I just can't see happening.
I'd be grateful if EK would make it very clear which flights have this facility so that people can elect to take another flight or airline if they wish.
This must be the best present that Etihad and Qatar could have wished for.

Cannot agree more
Posted by NIMBY, Dubai, UAE on Monday 24 March 2008 at 14:11 UAE time


If this is likely to become the norm on Emirates flights...then Etihad has just gained a frequent flyer in me. I do not wish to be exposed to inane ringtones nor overhear pointless conversations at 36,000 feet.

Come-on Emirates; your excuse is that the use of in-seat phones on flights merits the introduction of the service. So what was wrong with the in-seat service then? Weren't you getting enough revenue from it?

Why, Emirates, Why?
Posted by JD, Manama, Bahrain on Monday 24 March 2008 at 11:13 UAE time


This is a crass, insensitive move by Emirates that seeks to gain publicity rather than showing concern for passengers. Many people in the Gulf are addicted to their mobile phones and endless, inane conversations at high volume are not conducive to a relaxing flight which is what travellers need after the stress of negotiating check and security at the airport. and aren't cabin crews busy enough as it is without having to police passengers' mobile phone etiquette? Emirates has just lost a customer in me!

Mobile Phones
Posted by Bob, Doha, Qatar on Monday 24 March 2008 at 10:44 UAE time


There is nothing more intrusive and obnoxious then having to be in a closed space listening to someone who has no manners talk on their phone! I hope this is a novelty and that the last airline to try this. I will not fly Emirates anymore.

Mobile telpehones in flight
Posted by Mike, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Sunday 23 March 2008 at 22:16 UAE time

I shall be asking the airline for the 'phone free class' or whether they(EK) will provide noise canceling headphones on these flights!

It's a dreadful intrusion into others passengers ability to relax on a flight with a telephone call going on next to you, regardless if its a night flight! We maybe tuned into different time zones for sleeping!

I hope that the novelty of making a call passes quickly so we can get back to normal service and relaxation on board!

Mobile phone use on aircraft
Posted by Jane, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Sunday 23 March 2008 at 16:16 UAE time


I cannot think of anything worse than being in a confined space with one or more loud mobile users. I think the service should only be allowed for text or email usage.

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