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First AeroMobile flights lands in the UK

The first mobile phone-friendly flight to the UK touched down at Heathrow airport last week. The Emirates flight on 7th August was the first to allow passengers to make mobile phone calls and send text messages using the AeroMobile system. Passengers on the Dubai to London flight made more than 30 calls during their long haul voyage. Even with the system in place however, there are restrictions on how and when phones can be safely used. For example, the Emirates system is only available when aircraft are above 23,000 feet, when not in UK airspace, and on only ten per cent of the airline's routes. The AeroMobile system can be switched on and off by flight crews, and made text only at any time. Ring tones are also set to silent mode to ensure the comfort of all passenger. This seems to be a strategy that has worked for Emirates, as their spokesman Patrick Brannelly confirmed that the airline has received no complaints from its passengers, citing the fact that 'the cabin noise level on airliners is such that you cannot hear people making phone calls' as the reason for the lack of complaints and that 'the call quality has been so good there has been no need to shout'. While the use of mobile phones on airlines is currently banned in UK airspace, the ban is expected to be lifted shortly. Rival airlines Air France, Qantas and Turkish Airlines have also trialled the AeroMobile system, which enables passengers to use their mobile phones on a weak signal that allows calls to be made and received, but does not interfere with the plane's in-flight technology. This long-awaited advance has bolstered the role of mobile phones in the travel industry. New applications for mobile phones enable travellers to book and check flights and receive news updates while on the move.

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