In-Flight Cell Phones: Still Not Annoying the US
Air France may let its passengers yak away, but don't expect to hear any cell phone calls above the States just yet. As far as we've heard, no American carrier wants to offer phone calls. (Though there's one JetBlue plane that will let you use your BlackBerry to surf the web.)
The silence is thanks to a confluence of factors, not least of which is the FCC, which was inundated with "Oh noes!" after it tried to lift a ban on in-flight yapping. The Flight Attendants Association has also been pushing hard to limit airborne calls so that its members won't have to deal with idiots who refuse to put down their phones.
Even airlines which would theoretically have VoIP calling capability, like AA and Virgin America, won't be allowing it. So for now you can rest easy that your flight won't be interrupted--except by that little blooping sound every time a new IM rolls in.
Related Stories:
· Why US Airlines Still Won't Join the Mobile Mile-High Club [PM]
· In-Flight WiFi: No Phones for You! [Jaunted]
[Photo: pouwerkerk]
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