Making calls on an aeroplane a reality thanks to Ryanair

inflight_mobile_phone_call.jpgMuch like the downfall of Chris Brown’s career/record sales/radio plays, we knew in-flight calls were coming and would soon be at the forefront of the in-flight agenda. And beating all other European airlines to the punch is Ryanair, who has started a six month trial on 20 of its planes allowing its passengers to call and text from the comfort of their seat on their own handset.

How many times have you been trapped on an aeroplane for 8 hours plus, the on board entertainment is more then tedious/mind-numbingly dull, there’s only so much music you can listen to and if the little kid carries on kicking the back of your seat you will not be responsible for your actions? How many times have you thought to yourself – ‘I wish I could use my phone without causing the plane to malfunction?’

It’s going to be the train dilemma all over again isn’t it, which kind of makes it a bit on a catch 22 situation. On the one hand, it’s a great idea and a nifty resolution for alleviating boredom, getting work done or making urgent calls. But on the other hand, people talking stridently loud, (much to the frustration of other passengers) is not something that anyone should have to endure on a long-haul, or short-haul flight for that matter. And would that then mean people would think it’d be ok to blast their energetic playlists at full pelt?

There are rules – only six people at a time can use their phones mid-flight and it’s currently a Vodafone and O2 club only, with Ryanair hoping to involve other operators soon. Calls will cost between £1.50 and £3 a minute, with texts setting you back 40p and emails between £1 and £2.

[via The Metro]

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Lucy Hedges