In Flight Mobile Use

Up in the air....

Wi-Fi/internet and mobile phone use are the most sought after technologies. In flight internet service can be provided on aircraft either through a satellite network or an air-to-ground network. In the Airbus A380 aircraft, data communication via satellite system allows passengers to connect to the internet from the individual in flight entertainment units or their laptops via in flight Wi-Fi access.

But how will all this new in flight technology effect our in flight experiences? Will it be an improvement during long haul flights to help pass the time, or will non stop phone chatter be included on the list of annoyances along with screaming children?

Cramped seating conditions in economy class mean that emails and web pages will be easily viewed by your neighbours – so there are privacy issues.

My Experience

I experience internet usage on a flight from New York to LA and I must say at $US6 for the entire 6 hour flight it was cost effective and did help pass the time away.

The race for in flight Wi-Fi in North America...

•American Airlines started the trend among US airlines in January 2008.
•Virgin America, AirTran and Delta / Northwest have achieved internet connectivity at 35,000 feet. Four other airlines, including United and Air Canada, have signed up for the Gogo Internet service provided by Aircell. So far, there are about 445 aircraft that have internet service via Gogo.
•AirTran, a low-cost airline based in Orlando, Florida has announced that it will install Gogo. This airline will be the first US domestic airline to offer Wi-Fi on its entire fleet.

Virgin America

•First US airline with in-cabin mood lighting.
•Virgin America's RED entertainment system allows passengers to chat with one another, compete against each other in the provided games, talk to the flight attendants and request (and pay for in advance) food or drinks. Enables full access to the internet and email.
•The in flight entertainment system has 3000 MP3s and over 25 pay per view movies.
•Plug in to 110v power socket at each seat.
•Virgin America is a cashless airline. Place an order, swipe a card and pay.

What are Australian airlines up to?

Jetstar:

Launched world-first technology to introduce boarding passes via mobile phone text message (SMS) and 24 hour pre-enrolment check-in by the end of the year.
•Will combine the SMS code with an automatic check-in option that allows customers who buy a ticket on its website to request that the airline check them in 24 hours prior to departure. The system automatically sends them the SMS code, which they call up on their mobile phone display and present for scanning as they board the plane.

Qantas:

•Mobile phones: use before departure until the aircraft doors are closed provided the aircraft is parked at an aerobridge. After landing if the aircraft is proceeding to an aerobridge.
•Qantas is evaluating a new technology that will enable customers to send and receive emails, access the internet and send and receive text messages from their own mobile phone, GPRS data enabled personal device (such as Blackberry and Palm) or laptops with GPRS capability in flight.
•On all B747-400 and A330-300 aircraft passengers can send and receive SMS messages, make in flight telephone calls (via satellite) and perform seat to seat calls.

Singapore Airlines

•Personal audio and video content from iPod or iPhone on the A340-500 and A330-300 aircraft in flight entertainment system. Each seat features a high-resolution screen.
•Connect personal portable players to watch videos on the widescreen monitor via the audio-video input on the A340-500 and A330-300 aircraft.
•Power supply via 110 V AC in-seat power supply system. Singapore Airlines offers in-seat power supply systems in all classes on the A380, A340-500, A330-300 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. An in-seat power supply system is also available in first class and business class seats on selected Boeing 747-400 and Boeing 777 aircraft.
•Plug in a thumb drive to play music and view photos with the USB media player and photo viewer. This feature is available on the A380, A330-300, A340-500 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
•Singapore Airlines also offers a 15 V DC in-seat power supply in first class and business class seats on selected Boeing 747-400 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

Malaysian Airlines

•Send and receive SMS messages to and from mobile phones on-ground.
•Send, receive and read emails mid-air

Emirates

•Skytrax awarded Emirates the best in flight entertainment award in 2009. Emirates have won the Skytrax award for best in flight entertainment for six years in a row.
•Emirates in flight entertainment system offers over 1,000 channels of entertainment including over 100 games, phone, SMS and email are available.
•Laptop charging points.
•Mobile phones: use own GSM mobile phone on selected flights to make and receive calls, send and receive SMS messages. Available on over 100 Emirates flights.
•Send and receive SMS and email messages from seat TV screen to any mobile phone or email address in the world for USD $1 per message.
•Use the satellite telephone in every seat to call any phone in the world at USD $5 per minute. All major credit cards are accepted, as well as pre-paid telephone cards (available on board). Seat to seat calls also available.