Emirates Airline has begun allowing passengers to use mobile phones on flights and the first-ever (legal) mobile call from an Emirates airliner was made on Good Friday from 30,000 feet.

A system called AeroMobile has only been installed in one plane so far and is activated once the aircraft reaches 20,000 feet. A text message is sent to all passenger's phones, advising them to switch the handset to silent mode to minimise disturbances.

According to Emirates, the cabin crew have full control over the system, including the ability to prevent voice calls at certain times such as during night flights.

"We will be making life easier for those for whom staying in touch has become an important part of their everyday lives," said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates.

AeroMobile chief executive Bjorn-Taale Sandberg said that other airlines may follow Emirates' lead and that any safety concerns about the service had been answered.

"We have gone to considerable lengths to ensure that all safety and regulatory issues have been fully addressed, so we are pleased that Emirates has been able to join us in being first past the post in offering a full voice call service," Sandberg said.

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www.emirates.com/uk
www.aeromobile.net

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