bmi Trials Inflight Mobile Communications Service

bmi has become one of the first British carriers to offer passengers an inflight communications service including the use of SMS-enabled mobile phones and PDAs (personal digital assistants). The service will also allow access to the internet and email from laptop computers fitted with GSM data cards.

The service, which is being supplied by OnAir, will be trialled for six months on a single Airbus A320 aircraft operating between Heathrow and Moscow. The UK launch follows the granting of telecommunications regulatory approval by Ofcom.

Peter Spencer, managing director of bmi, said, “We are delighted to be working with OnAir to make this service available to customers. It opens up an exciting new era of travellers being able to stay in touch by text message and email whilst in the air.

“Our research tells us that our business passengers in particular have two key concerns – getting through the airport quickly and being able to carry on working during their journey, so we’re confident that many will warmly welcome this service.

“The trial will help us address some of the social and etiquette issues regarding the use of mobile communications devices inflight and provide valuable customer feedback which will be at the heart of deciding how the service is developed and rolled out across the remainder of our mid haul fleet. We have chosen not to implement the voice call option as part of the trial.”

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