Poll: Most business travellers against in-flight mobile calls

A new survey indicates that most travellers, and especially business travellers, are against the use of mobile phones on planes.

The poll, which was carried out by YouGov and the Business Travel Show, found that 46 per cent of respondents either disagreed or strongly disagreed that mobile calls should be allowed in-flight - twice the number (23 per cent) who agreed or strongly agreed.

Among business travellers the sentiment was even more pronounced, with 56 per cent saying they wouldn't want the technology in place, against just 16 per cent who were for it.

The figures come soon after telecoms regulator Ofcom put forward proposals that could mean airlines allow in-flight mobile calls as soon as next year (see related Cheapflights story).

With base stations installed on planes, passengers could make and receive calls after the aircraft reaches 3,000 metres.

"The results of the Business Travel Show/You Gov survey make it explicitly clear that the majority of travellers - particularly business travellers - do not want mobile phones on planes," said David Chapple of the Business Travel Show.

"We are keen to see if in-flight mobile use does take off or whether passenger action will ground it."

The strength of feeling against mobile phone usage on board planes has prompted The Daily Telegraph to organise a 'Keep flights mobile-free' petition, which has more than 3,600 signatures so far.

Air France, bmi and Ryanair are among the airlines considering putting the technology in place.

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