In-flight Calling now allowed by Emirates Airlines
Posted on March 29th, 2008 | Filed under: General
Emirates passengers were the first to experience in-flight calling. In particular, the Emirates flight A340-300s was the first one to experience in-flight calling.
As reported earlier about UK’s plan to get the ‘In-Flight calling’ technology first, Emirates took away the title first as it got the full approval from aviation authorities. Emirates Airlines have teamed up with Aeromobile to install these systems inside their flights.
The Aeromobile systems allows passengers to use both calling and text messaging while flying. Although there are certain rules that will be yet need to be followed for usage of mobiles in flight for example; mobile phones are to be kept on silent mode and cabin crew officials will monitor the mobile phone usage carefully for security reasons and there will be no voice calling allowed for night flights and text messages will have to be used.
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said, “All seats across our fleet are already equipped with in-seat phones, as well as email and text messaging capabilities via the in-seat entertainment system. We are delighted to now offer them the choice of using their own mobile phones to contact friends, family or colleagues while flying with us.”
The Charges for these calls and text messages will be as per the respective service provider’s international roaming charges. To add on a feather to its cap, Emirates and Aeromobile will be working closely to bring in the technology for usage of emails and GPRS very soon on their flights. This system is expected to be brought in only by the end of 2008.
