Mobile phone usage during flights

Airlines are trying to introduce new entertainment options during flights to attract more customers and increase revenue.  Because of the rising cost of fuel which has led to increased fares and surcharges, airlines are finding it important to make sure they have incentives for passengers to choose them and many are looking at ways to provide connectivity to them.

David Burner, who is the strategic product marketing director of Panasonic Avionics, said “Those players that have a longer vision, and are not as worried about the day-to-day swing in oil prices, are using this time to expand their fleet with more fuel-efficient aircraft.  And they are not scaling back at all. They are going for the top line products we offer and that is ­surprisingly good news for us.”

Emirates introduced a system called AeroMobile that allows its passengers to use their mobile devices during flights.  The Vice President for passenger communications at Emirates, Patrick Brannelly, said “Passengers have reacted matter-of-factly, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.  Emirates has always believed that a great product will protect your yield. It will attract passengers.”

The AeroMobile system is expected to appear on Qantas, Turkish Airlines, and Saudi Arabian Airlines in the near future.  Rivalling AeroMobile is the OnAir system which will be found on RyanAir and Air France flights.

Mobile phone usage is forbidden on flights in the United States.  Airlines are finding alternative ways to increase revenues there by charging for food and drink. 

http://www.aeromobile.net/

http://www.emirates.com/