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Return To Aviation Article Archive   Search the Article Archives In Flight Phones Disappearing By Laura Quarantiello By Laura Quarantiello © Tiare Publications If you expect to be able to phone home from 35,000 feet the next time you fly, think again. American Airlines has removed in-flight phones from it's domestic fleet. American has used AT&T Wireless phones onboard their 654 domestic route aircraft since 1996, but found that fewer than three calls per day per plane were being made. This may have something to do with the fact that passengers are charged $7.60 plus tax for each minute of airtime, plus a $2.99 connection fee for each call. Passengers have found it cheaper to make calls from airport pay phones or their own personal cellular phones before boarding. Cell phone use is also allowed aboard planes before the cabin doors are closed. Removing in-flight phones is nothing new: Southwest Airlines did it in August of 2001, and with the airline industry sinking into financial trouble, more airlines are expected to follow suit and yank the plug on their in-flight connections. According to an American spokesperson, removing the phones will reduce maintenance costs and lower aircraft weight. To further stir the waters, AT&T has reported that it is closing its in-flight phone business, citing the growing use of cell phones. Air carriers who use AT&T service, such as Alaska and Northwest, will be forced to switch to another service or remove their in-flight phones as well. All is not lost, however; even though phones aboard aircraft are losing popularity, passengers are asking for Internet access. Verizon Airfone is testing high-speed Internet access with United Airlines aboard Airbus aircraft. So even though you may not be able to make phone calls from the sky you can send e-mails. About the Author: Laura Quarantiello is the author of “Air-Ways: The Insider’s Guide To air Travel.” http://www,tiare.com/airways.htm Aerospace Engineering

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