http://www.globalgiants.com/archives/2008/08/virgin_atlantic.html
Written by Marlon Dennis & Steve Brooks
It was announced on Monday 14th May 2012 that passengers on Sir Richard Branson’s airline, Virgin Atlantic, will be able to make and receive phone calls whilst in the air.
The mobile access will be provided by AeroMobile and will be available from London and New York on the airline’s new A330 Airbus where passengers will also be able to send and receive text messages, emails and have web access.
Although this sounds like a good idea and another breakthrough in technology this service will come at a higher cost and has its restrictions. Only 6 passengers will be allowed on a call at the same time and the service will not be permitted during take-off or landing. It will also have to be switched off 250 miles before the aeroplane enters US airspace because of American laws. Calls will be charged at £1 per minute and text messages will cost 20p.
Speaking on the Virgin website Steve Griffiths, Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Atlantic had this to say about their new service: “Many people will have experienced that moment when you’re about to take off on a 10-hour flight and you need to send an important message to the office, or even reminding a family member to feed the cat! We have listened to what customers want and connectivity in the air is always on the wish list,”
“It’s also quite fun to call home and say “Guess where I am” – not many people would think you’re travelling at 35,000ft above the Atlantic Ocean.”
I don’t know about you but I know if I was about to get some sleep and the person next to me was having a loud conversation on their mobile phone I would not be happy at all.
What do you think about this new service?
