MAS approves inflight phones

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia Airlines passengers can now use their BlackBerry-type devices and mobile phones on selected flights to send and receive email and text messages, and to make and receive voice calls.

The airline has teamed up with AeroMobile to become the first air carrier in Asia to offer such in-flight mobile phone and data services.

The facility is available immediately on selected flights on MAS routes covering Europe, Australia, and across Asia including China and Japan.

Passengers wlll be able to safely use their mobile phone or personal digital assistant (PDA) during the -¬---cruise-¬~ phase of the flight without affecting aircraft systems and ground telecommunication networks.

MAS has conducted trials over the last few weeks on a Boeing 777-200, testing all aspects of the system using standard BlackBerrys and mobile phones, it said in a statement.

The trial is ongoing and if findings are positive, the facility will be offered across the airline-ªs remaining wide body aircraft by next year, said MAS CEO, Idris Jala.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

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