Airlines plan in-flight text messaging

Advertisement (Why?)

After a year-long trial of one-way SMS onboard Singapore Airlines flights, airline technology provider SITA is to launch a commercial two-way service.

The company is working with several airlines to introduce two-way SMS and email by the end of the year.

Passengers will be able to send and receive SMS or email using their in-seat telephone handset.

SMS messages can be up to 160 characters, and users will be able to pay for the service by credit card or by using SITA's Aircom prepaid calling card.

News source: vnunet.com

The cost per message has yet to be finalised, but SITA spokeswoman Brigitte Renaud said that pricing would be commercially agreed between the airlines, with SITA taking into consideration what passengers are prepared to pay.

The service will be supported through SITA's Aircom satellite which links via Inmarsat satellites into the company's SMS service.

According to Renaud the service will not interfere with any vital flight systems.

"It is only going to be a software upgrade, with no additions to the existing airborne configuration, so there is nothing to worry about," she said.

#1 Jedimark on 15 Sep 2003 - 09:06

I could do this when travelling to the US from Zurich on a Swiss Air flight.

(1 reply) #2 RedHook on 15 Sep 2003 - 11:11

I am sure that the airlines will get greedy and botch this up by charging some outrageous fees. Can an anyone afford to use the phone service that the airlines provide?

I can see it now send text messages only $1.99 per character

#2.1 bangbang023 on 15 Sep 2003 - 11:54

no no you're crazy.

characters won't cost a thing. It will be 20cents to send and 10 dollars if you have to use the delete button.

#3 Gary_Player on 15 Sep 2003 - 11:24

I love SingAir...theyre my favorite

#4 zivan56 on 15 Sep 2003 - 13:56

Lufthansa already has wireless internet on-board along with some other european airlines.

#5 Rock on 15 Sep 2003 - 16:59

Quantas already has this. And it's free to send and receive for Sept & Oct.

#6 Astral on 15 Sep 2003 - 22:24

What's the big deal? Watch them introduce a hidden fee on your bill, when you could easily do without, and get up out of your seat, maybe stretch, take a leak, then go and ACTUALLY talk to this other person sitting a few rows up from you. Waste of time, money, and brains.

Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!

Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.

Neowin.net