Do you experience cell phone withdrawal when flying? You'd better book your next flight with United Arab Emirates airlines. This week the first phone call was made from Emirates Airbus A340-300 en route to Casablance, Morocco from 30,000 feet in the air.
They have plans to carry the "AeroMobile" service to other Emirates flights which will include the ability to send and receive text messages.
At first you might think, "Great for people doing business or needing to make calls, but crappy for everyone else that has to deal with it." It's not so harsh; there are rules like keeping the phone on vibrate or silent mode. Only five to six calls can be made at one time, and during night flights when everyone's sleeping, phone calls will probably not be permitted.
This is great news for business travels for whom time is money. All that's needed now is "sky fi" and the modern business traveler has all the communication tools he/she needs!
AirFrance will be offering something similar soon too. Right now they only offer text messaging, but part II of their trial involves phone calls.
Phone Calls on Flights
Emirates AeroMobile
Trend Themes
1. Phone Calls on Flights - The ability to make phone calls during flights is a new trend in airline communication, creating potential disruption in the market for in-flight entertainment and communication services.
2. Aeromobile Service - Emirates' AeroMobile service is a new trend in in-flight communication services, providing a new opportunity for airlines to generate revenue.
3. In-flight Communication Tools - The availability of in-flight communication tools, including phone calls and text messaging, is a trend that could disrupt traditional modes of business travel and conferencing.
Industry Implications
1. Airlines - Airlines must adapt to the trend of in-flight communication services, such as AeroMobile, in order to meet the needs of passengers and generate new revenue streams.
2. Telecommunications - The trend of in-flight communication requires a new infrastructure of satellite and cellular networks to provide reliable service, providing an opportunity for telecommunications companies.
3. Business Travel - The trend of in-flight communication tools creates new opportunities for business travel, enabling professionals to stay connected during flights and increasing productivity on the go.