Virgin Atlantic wary about in-flight mobile service

Virgin Atlantic believes there is demand for mobile phone usage during flights but is wary about introducing the service.

Low-cost airline Ryanair announced earlier this year that it will introduce an in-flight mobile service within 12 months as it seeks to grow its revenue from ancillary products.

Virgin Atlantic may do the same, but the airline is aware that it may prove to be an annoyance for other passengers.

Spokeswoman Anna Knowles said: "We believe that many passengers will not want this service on long-haul flights so we are taking a practical approach and seeing how we could introduce it in an acceptable way."

A recent Skytrax poll suggested that as many as 84 per cent of air passengers are against allowing mobile calls during flights. Barry Dunstall of the European Regions Airline Association said his organisation was "aware that many members of the travelling public respond to the idea with horror".

Many train services have introduced mobile-free zones but this may be difficult to emulate on board aircraft, he said.

© Adfero Ltd

Comments

[Chris Williams]

Mobile phones on flights? Whatever next? Canned music? scrolling advertising on seat backs ? I'm with the 84 per cent.

I would be most unhappy at this development. After the journey to the airport, the queuing, the security checks, more queuing, the noise of the terminal, the shopping mall experience, more queuing, this would be an unwelcome development. The flight itself should be a quiet time so travellers can recover from all of the hassle, and prepare themselves for the next part of their journey. A book or a doze, a sudoku or a chat, maybe even a film with headphones and/or earplugs and eyeshades.

Moreover the background noise of the plane is such that the phone user would no doubt be shouting ..."I'm on the plane" ... of course. And then, there is the question as to whether there is a decibels limit on the person using the phone.

Richard Branson and Michael O'Leary shouldn't assume that the Great British Public will stick with airlines which adopt this practice without the most draconian restrictions. Keep it simple. Keep the ban.