Congress has officially put the kibosh on any plans to introduce cellphone voice calls to in-flight passengers looking to annoy fellow travelers with their obnoxious phone calls. That’s great news and all, but banning voice calls in airborne airplanes doesn’t do anything for busybody passengers with a constant need for data access. Today, frequent fliers with [...]

Score one for the sensible among us. Cellphone conversations in airborne cabins are now illegal! Call them slow to act, out of touch with reality, greedy politicians, liars, or practically useless civil servants if you want, but Congress comes through for the American public every now and again. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has made [...]

We'd love to on one of the two flights that American Airlines is using to test their Aircell-equipped airliners' in-flight broadband data service. Following on American Airlines' announcement that they'll be retrofitting 15 of their Boeing 757 jets with Aircell hardware capable of providing 2Mbps data service, the US air carrier is set to test [...]

As if the FCC and FAA's indefinite ban on the use of mobile phones while airborne wasn't enough, a couple well-meaning but likely clueless Congressman have proposed a bill that would effectively ban cellphones from being used on an airborne plane. Apparently, the fear of having to sit next to loud and obnoxious passenger yapping [...]

We've been hearing a lot about all the data service offerings that will allow airline passengers to get their data-fix while in-flight, so it's refreshing to here of some developments regarding in-flight voice calls. Following on Norwegian Air's plan to offer in-flight voice calls and internet services through its Call Norwegian venture, the Office of [...]

We've been following Qantas' in-flight email and SMS text messaging trial for some time now. And, after successful testing during the extended trial period, Qantas has announced that the airline will be rolling out the in-flight messaging service to its fleet of domestic Boeing 767 and Airbus A330 flights. Starting next year, when you're traveling down-unda, [...]

These guys sure are dedicated to making in-flight communications a reality for US fliers. As expected, Aircell is back on their feet following recent knockdowns by the FCC and FAA in the in-flight cellular service-ring. Jetsetters in the US won't be able to get any cellphone service while flying high, but they can expect to [...]

While in-flight mobile phone use in the US is likely grounded for the forseeable future , it looks like air-travelers will be able to get their airborne internet-fix soon. JetBlue Airways has announced that they’ll be trialling free internet access - email and instant messages - on Tuesday. The test-trial will only be offered on one of the airline’s aircraft, but that single airplane with internet access will be a much-welcomed change from traditionally data- and voice-free flights. American Airlines, Virgin America, and Alaska Airlines will be launching their own fleet-wide internet-access services in the near term. The service will likely cost $10 per flight. Virgin will give passengers access to email through their in-seat entertainment system, while other airlines will be offering WiFi connections in the cabin. Internet access will only be enabled while at cruising altitude - the service will be turned off while the plane is on the tarmac and during the take-off and landing phases of the flight (we wouldn’t want any fiery crashes just so little Jimmy can get his MySpace-fix, now would we?). There’s no word on whether VoIP calls will be allowed, but here’s to hoping! [Via: Computer World ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:FAA puts its foot down on in-flight cell phone calls - it ain't gonna happenEuropean Union may be getting in-flight cellphone use soonAirCell Down But Not Out - Will Provide In-Flight 'WiFi In The Sky'Europe gives airlines green-light for in-flight cell phone calls!Qantas To Test In-Flight Text Messaging