April 6th, 2006

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Air France Green Lights Mobile Phones in 2007

Toby [speaking to a stewardess about his pager]: We’re flying in a Lockheed Eagle Series L-1011. Came off the line twenty months ago. Carries a Sim-5 transponder tracking system, and you’re telling me I can still flummox this thing with something I bought at Radio Shack? From The West Wing.

According to Upgrade, Air France will permit cell phone usage on new planes being delivered next year:

The aircraft will offer onboard mobile phone service on short-haul flights within Europe and to and from North African destinations as part of a commercial test from March to September 2007, Air France and its technology partners Airbus SAS and Sita said yesterday.

The aircraft will be equipped with technology provided by OnAir, a joint venture owned by Airbus and SITA, which aims to provide a range of communication services such as telephony, email and web surfing to passengers.

It’s about time. I must confess that I’ve never made a call from one of those in-flight phones–I’ve always assumed they cost a fortune. But, hey, what about roaming charges? Do I pay more if I’m at a higher altitude? And how’s coverage over the mid-Atlantic?

Comments: 2 Responses so far

Matt
April 6th, 2006
2:54 pm

I used to rail against the illogic of not allowing cell phones in the air, too. But that was because I didn’t understand the real reasons behind not allowing their use. The airline industry hid behind the technology as opposed to sharing the real truth which is that not allowing cell phones cuts down on air rage. I think even I would be tempted to rail on someone who was talking in his elevated cell phone voice ad nauseum during the whole flight.

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Bernie Goldbach
April 6th, 2006
11:05 pm

When I travel Amtrak, I look for the quiet car because I know I can avoid all cell phone conversations that way. It would be good to know you can still escape into quiet space aboard Air France by sitting on the toilet because sitting within three feet of a moronic mobile phone conversation is painful.

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