Delta boss says ‘no’ to in-flight phone calls
Delta has confirmed it will not allow in-flight phone calls, even if a ban on cell phone use is lifted.
CEO Richard Anderson issued a memo today to Delta’s 80,000 employees worldwide, saying the airline is "not in favor of voice calls onboard".
Anderson said: "Delta will not allow cellular calls or internet-based voice communications onboard Delta or Delta Connection flights.
"Our customer research and direct feedback tell us that our frequent flyers believe voice calls in the cabin would be a disruption to the travel experience.
"In fact, a clear majority of customers who responded to a 2012 survey said they felt the ability to make voice calls onboard would detract from – not enhance – their experience.
"Delta employees, particularly our in-flight crews, have told us definitively that they are not in favor of voice calls onboard."
He added: "Delta has moved quickly when technological and regulatory breakthroughs provide opportunities to make flying better for our customers.
"That is why we were the first to file our plan with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to allow customers to use portable electronic devices below 10,000 feet.
"Similarly, if the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) lifts its ban on cellular use in flight, Delta will move quickly to enable customers to use text, email and other silent data transmission services gate to gate.
"Even as technology advances and as regulations are changed, we will not only consider what we can do, but as importantly we will also consider what is right for our customers and our employees."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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