Hi all,
I recollect that EK wanted to allow pax the use of their mobile phones in the air.

I was wondering if this has this already been introduced? If yes, what is the cabin ambience like?

I personally think that I would avoid longhauls with this. From my experience on trains:
Imagine paying thousands of bucks for an F-ticket just to suffer the self-important chatter (these are also usually very vocal calls) from fellow pax. I also think it would severely mar the premium experience and counteract the EK marketing message of "private" flying (e.g. suites).

Cheers
Hansie

I don't think it's been introduced yet. However, all Emirates (and other airlines) flights have phones on every seat. I've not yet been disturbed by anyone making loud phone calls. So, in my opinion, allowing mobile phone use won't make much difference (the price will still be prohibitive whichever method is used).

Cheers,
Rick

Hi Rick,
I hope you are right, however, I have never seen anyone use these phones for calling.
Consider the huge difference between being available on your own number (and having your contacts on the ready) rather than calling from an in-seat phone. Also the fact that you are billing directly to the phone and not via a (complex) corporate process using credit cards could lower the barrier of using the service. Many companies have flat-rates for their staff phones so high prices shouldn't really be a barrier.

It would be ok if pax would employ some social intelligence, but that would be expecting a lot. I back this up from countless experiences of inappropriate mobile phone use on premium classes in trains.

Will be interesting to see how this is going to go, especially as some airlines (e.g. LH) have inseat phones but are not allowing private cell phones.

Cheers,
Hansie

The system (called Aeromobile) is in use on one EK A340-300 and one 777-300 (I believe) at the moment and I believe to be rolled out across other aircraft in the fleet. I believe the system limits user to 5 at any one time and it can be turned on and off on demand by the cabin crew.

True, I'd not considered the receiving of calls.

I still think there would be a surcharge added to the normal 'flat rate'. We have a flat rate for our phones at the place I work. However, we get a stonking surcharge for international roaming. Maybe it's different in other countries.

As bluenose17 stated, the Emirates crew will have good control over the system. I think I also read that the system will not be turned on for overnight flights.

Cheers,
Rick

From the Aeromobile website (...and other sources):

12) How will social issues be managed during quiet times, such as night flights?
We have conducted extensive research into the social aspects of mobile phone usage. This research has been carefully considered in the development of AeroMobile. Cabin crew will have complete control of the system in flight and have the ability to enable and disable services as desired. For example this may mean discrete “text only” services during night time flights.

AeroMobile also believes very strongly in promoting an appropriate ‘etiquette’ for use of mobile phone services on aircraft. This includes passengers switching their phones to silent or vibrate mode and using the phone in a reasonable and considerate way. This situation is very similar to use of mobile phones in restaurants and cinemas on the ground.

16) How much will the service cost?
The cost of making a call and sending a text message is comparable with international GSM roaming tariffs. (From NYT...Text messages...will cost about $1...Voice calls ...will be billed at $3 to $3.50 a minute...)


Cheers,
Hansie

The maximum simultaneous calls is 6.

The rollout across the fleet has been very slow so far. You will know that your aircraft has it because a video will be played in the climbout introducing the service, and if your phone is compatible, you'll get a welcome text message telling you about service availability. You can also tell the aircraft has the system installed by the small panel to the left of the L1 door, that looks like the front of a cellphone imbedded into the wall. That's what the purser uses to control the system.