Emirates launches inflight cell phone calls

Emirates said that the "first authorized mobile phone call made from a commercial flight" occurred yesterday aboard one of its A340-300s flying at 30,000 ft. en route from Dubai to Casablanca, marking the launch of its $27 million program to equip its fleet with the AeroMobile system that will allow passengers to use their own cell phones in flight.

EK said it has spent 18 months working "closely with regulators and telecommunications providers across the globe, fully completing rigorous testing and certification processes" so that it could become the first airline to allow passengers to use mobile phones. It said a 777-300 will join the A340-300 "very shortly" in having an in-operation AeroMobile system and other aircraft in its fleet will be equipped gradually.

Chairman and CEO Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum said, "All seats across our fleet are already equipped with in-seat phones, as well as e-mail and text messaging capabilities via the in-seat entertainment system. . .we are delighted to now offer them the choice of using their own mobile phones."

The service will be activated when equipped aircraft are at cruising altitude, EK said, adding that cabin crew will have "full control over the system, including the ability to prevent voice calls at certain times such as during night flights." Only five or six calls will be permitted to take place at one time. The AeroMobile service will allow passengers to send and receive text messages as well.

All phone and text charges will be "in line with premium international roaming rates," the carrier said. "Users will be billed on their regular phone bills by their own service providers as with any other roaming call."