In-flight calling: the travel hell is now hotter
The latest one is Air France and OnAir. According to Wi-Fi Networking News:
The service is limited to text messaging and mobile email for the first half of the six-month trial. In three months, voice service will be enabled, but according to interviews I’ve conducted over the last couple of years, the voice part could be summarily disabled during flights or for the remainder of the trial depending on reception.
Calls may be made only above 10,000 feet (3,000m). OnAir said they have arrangements with several cell carriers—the company’s service is like its own cell carrier in the air—including Orange, Bouyges Telecom, and SFR. The cost is “comparable” to international calling, and is estimated to be about US$2.50 per minute in previous reports and interviews.
I hope this doesn't work well. Really, who needs a twelve hour flight over the Pacific Ocean with 400 people on-board and some folks send and receiving SMS (beep, beep), phones playing noisy horrible ringtones and worse of all - people talking loudly about their big deal, the new house, or whatever is important for them - forgetting there are some people trying to sleep on that big flying tube...
If this comes true I hope airlines indicate in the booking something like "Mobile free flight" so people can choose which flight to take.
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Author's note by freitasm, on 21-Dec-2007 10:06
Why? Do these noise cancelling headphones zap annoying people too? 
Comment by foobar, on 21-Dec-2007 10:06
Good idea with the mobile free flight indication. Or how about this: Remember the old days, when the back of the plane was reserved for smokers? Well, maybe you can arrange for cell-phone usage to only be allowed in the back of the plane? A 'noise zone' of sorts?
But, yeah, I totally agree: The last thing you need is someone shouting into their mobile phone, while you (or your kids!) are trying to get some sleep.
Comment by Mitch Denny, on 21-Dec-2007 14:56
I wish they would sort out broadband Internet first, and power plugs on all seats. Then we wouldn't need the phones, we could just use Skype.
I don't see a major problem with it as long as people are respectful about their fellow passengers.
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Comment by nairda, on 21-Dec-2007 10:05
That's where you need noise-cancelling headphones.