Ryanair launches in-flight mobile phone service

Ryanair has today launched its in-flight mobile phone service initially onboard 20 of its aircraft.

This is the first step in fitting Ryanair’s entire fleet of over 170 aircraft to allow all passengers to make and receive mobile calls and texts on all Ryanair flights.

Passengers on Ryanair’s 20 OnAir enabled aircraft can now make and receive voice calls at (non- EU) international roaming rates (€2-3 per minute) text messages (50c+) and email (€1-2) using their mobile phones, BlackBerrys and other smartphones.

These price tariffs are set by each mobile service provider and are subject to each customer’s individual price plan.

The service will initially be available to 02 and Vodafone customers and to customers of more than 50 other mobile phone operators across Europe.

At the launch, OnAir confirmed that it is working with other Irish mobile operators (3 and Meteor) to enable their customers to use the service also.

"Today’s launch by Ryanair and OnAir is the first step to offering in-flight mobile phone services onboard our entire fleet of over 170 aircraft over the next 18 months," said Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary.

"This service will allow passengers to keep in touch with the office, family or friends. We expect customer demand for this service to grow rapidly and hope that customers of all Irish mobile operators will soon be able to call or text home from 30,000 feet to tell loved ones of yet another on time Ryanair flight."