Thursday, January 29, 2009

British Airways permits in-flight texting on limited routes

There's a good chance that you'll be able to use your cell during a flight pretty soon. British Airways is going to let passengers on selected flights between London and New York send text messages. The flights aren't very packed — the A318s the airline is using are arranged in a 32 seat layout — and it hasn't yet been decided whether the privilege will cost more than the price of the seats.

In-flight WiFi was the first amenity to get implemented (well, and showers), and now airlines are experimenting with texts. So what's next, full calling? I for one don't want to get packed in like a sardine next to someone gabbing away, but so it goes. Then again, I've enjoyed having in-flight WiFi — is the freedom to use your phone at all times one you'd find useful even at the expense of another's (and your own) comfort?