Air France has started a six-month trial aboard an Airbus A318 with communications provider OnAir to provide cellphone services to passengers flying in Europe. For now, passengers can use their mobile phones to send and receive text messages,
e-mail and photos. After three months Air France intends to expand the service to allow passengers to make and receive phone calls as well.
The FCC last year decided to scrap a plan to allow cellphone use by U.S. passengers after takeoff, making it unlikely that a similar service will be offered in North America anytime soon. American Airlines last month installed the first AirCell Broadband receiver aboard a Boeing 767-200 in preparation for flight trials with passengers later this year. This service will allow passengers to use their laptop computers and Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones to send text and e-mail messages. American plans to install the equipment in 15 airplanes this year as part of a technology evaluation. Virgin America also plans to install the AirCell hardware in its fleet of Airbus A319s and A320s this year. Cost to connect will be about $10 per flight.
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