Ryanair plan to allow mobile phone use on board flights

Ryanair has announced plans to allow the use of mobile phones on its flights from the middle of next year.

The Irish airline says its entire Boeing 737 fleet will be made compatible with cell and smart phones.

Passengers will then be able to make on-board calls or send texts and emails at rates mirroring international roaming charges.

Subject to relevant regulatory approval, this will make Ryanair the first European airline to offer Europe-wide mobile telephony services during flights.

Developed by inflight communications specialist OnAir, Mobile OnAir uses advanced lightweight onboard technology to allow passengers to make and receive calls, exchange SMS messages and connect to e-mail via satellite broadband links and a ground network to be supplied by OnAir’s telecoms infrastructure partner, Monaco Telecom.

“This is another revolutionary passenger service initiative from Ryanair,” said Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary. “Ryanair will soon enable passengers to use their mobile phones and electronic communications devices in the air, just as they do on the ground.

“This is a win-win for Ryanair, OnAir and most importantly our customers. The revenues generated by onboard mobile telephony will reduce our costs.”