In-flight communication and entertainment

Dec 10, 2013

Restriction on the in-flight use of electronic devices is about to be lifted. Flyers’ needs to be constantly connected has led authorities to revisit their ban.
Despite the availability of similar services while the plane airborne, not many passengers use their electronic devices during flight.
This is a result of the lack of promotion and the high costs associated with roaming charges (which vary between US$ 3 – US$ 4 per minute). However, we expect prices to be reduced significantly once the easing on current restrictions are in force.
Currently, up to 19 airlines in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America allow their passengers to talk on their mobile phone and send text messages and/or e-email during flight

The included airlines are:

Airline	Flights	Calls	Text messages	E-mail
1. Aer Lingus	Long haul	—	X	X
2. Aeroflot	A320, A330, B777	X	X	X
3. Air Asia	Short haul	X	X	X
4. Air France	Long haul B77-300	—	X	X
5. Azerbaijan Airlines	A320	X	X	X
6. British Airways	A318	X	X	X
7. EgyptAir	A330	X	X	X
8. Emirates	Long and short haul flights to/from Dubai	X	X	X
9. Etihad	Long haul	X	X	X
10. KLM	B777-300	—	X	X
11. Libyan Airlines	A320, A330	X	X	X
12. Malaysia Airlines	777	X	X	X
13. Oman Air	A330	X	X	X
14. Philippine Airlines	A330, B777	X	X	X
15. Qatar Airways	A320, B787	X	X	X
16. Royal Jordanian	A320	X	X	X
17. SAS	B737-883	X	X	X
18. Saudi Arabian Airlines	A330, B777	X	X	X
19. Singapore Airlines	A340, A380, B777	—	X	X
20. TAM	A320	X	X	X
21. TAP Portugal	A319s	X	X	X
22. Transaero	B747s, B777s	X	X	X
23. Virgin Atlantic	A330-300, B747-400	X	X	X

Sources: OnAir, AeroMobile and Skift

The Federal Aviation Administration is studying the possibility of permitting the service on North American airlines after having had determined electronic devices do not cause any interference with the plane’s navigational equipment nor pose a security risk once a plane reaches an altitude of 10,000 feet.

on varias las empresas que ofrecen servicios de provisión de data “in-flight” entre ellos podemos mencionar: OnAir, AeroMobile y GogoAir.

Many companies are currently offer in-flight data service. OnAir, AeroMobile and GogoAir have been thee early adopters.

Ian Dawkins, OnAir‘s CEO (a provider of GSM and in-flight wifi established in 2007) stated that the average in-flight voice call lasts under two minutes, and are conducted by flyers who need to stay in touch with their families and co-workers.

This new range of services provided during flight is a clear demonstration that travelers’ habits are changing due to needs created by an increased dependency on electronic devices, thus contributing to a change in behavior when traveling.