Ryanair Introduce Mobiles Onboard

[Whatisthematrix]

RYANAIR AND ONAIR LAUNCH EUROPE’S 1ST FLEET WIDE INFLIGHT MOBILE PHONE SERVICE

PASSENGERS CAN NOW CALL & TEXT ONBOARD 20 RYANAIR AIRCRAFT

Ryanair, Europe’s largest low fares airline, today (19th Feb) launched its in-flight mobile phone service initially onboard 20 of its (mainly) Dublin based 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 (£1.50-£3 pm) text messages (40p+) 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 “O2” customers and to customers of over 50 other mobile phone operators across Europe. At the launch OnAir confirmed that it is working with other UK mobile operators (“Vodafone”, “Orange” and “3”) to ensure that their customers can also keep in touch with the office, family and friends when travelling.

Michael O’Leary said:
“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. 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 UK 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.”

Benoit Debains, CEO of OnAir, said,
“Mobile OnAir is the most advanced in-flight communications service in the world and
this European fleet-wide rollout marks a real milestone in aviation. We are proud to
work with Ryanair, the world’s largest international scheduled airline, and to provide
their 67 million passengers with access to this new technology which will enable them to send and receive emails, text messages, download attachments and make and receive calls just as they would on the ground.’

Ends.

Thursday, 19th February 2009



How it works:
To access Mobile OnAir, passengers simply switch on their GSM-enabled phones when cabin signs indicate that the Mobile OnAir service may be used. As long as their mobile service provider has a roaming agreement with OnAir, passengers are able to use GSM and GPRS services as seamlessly as they would on the ground.

Phones or BlackBerry-type devices connect to an antenna onboard the aircraft and a mini-GSM network. The mini-GSM network sends the calls and data via an Inmarsat
SwiftBroadband satellite link to the ground where it connects to the OnAir ground
infrastructure. This then routes the calls and data to public networks (mobile and fixed
network operators).

About pricing:
Pricing is set by your home mobile operator and varies from operator to operator. As a
general rule, text messages will cost about £0.40, calls will cost between £1.50 and £3.00 per minute, and smart phone email sessions between £1.00 and £2.00 if there are no major file transfers (100 KB of data). Please check with your home mobile operator for specific rates.
Switching on your mobile phone and receiving text messages is free. Communications costs will appear in the normal way on the bill.

[Avman]

Another good reason to avoid RYR then :}

Mind you I doubt if the average RYR punter will want to fork out 3 quid a minute to natter about nothing!

Oh, and I said it before and I say it again, watch out for future cases of mobile air rage. Fun times ahead :E

[hellsbrink]

Oh, Avman. Of course they'll spend £3 a minute to natter. All you will hear is some half canned chavs all yelling "I'm on the plane", others sending constant sms' so all the bleeping will drive you mad, etc.

MobileAir Rage indeed, Just wait until you are on a plane where half the passengers all call their mates and you have a big "Y Viva Espana" sing-song.

[Load Toad]

Aye - another reason why when Blighty side I won't fly Chantelle airlines.

[Sober Lark]

isn't there new technology that stops people having to shout into their mobile phones when they can't hear the other person? It could also be a cultural thing. The Irish love to shout into their mobiles. They also love to listen in to what others are talking about so they couldn't have choosen a better route than this one to introduce such inflight entertainment.

[cwatters]

The BBC are reporting that you will also be charged to RECEIVE calls (eg as if you were abroad). I wonder how many people won't realise.

BBC NEWS | Technology | Ryanair allows mobile phone use (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7899446.stm)

[daveyb]

Hi all,

Heard about this on the radio and came across an article in one of the evening papers about it.

its bad enough having to listen to some moran on the bus shouting down the phone and everyone known his business etc where he works/type of car they have/where there going on holidays etc.

but to sit beside someone on just say a 2hr flt my head would be melted phones ringing texts going off i just hope the cost deters them:*

im sure other airlines will follow shortely then i will have no peace&quiet i just hope EI dont do it on US route,s the thoughts of dub-lax jaysus
Ryanair to allow mobile phone use on 20 aircraft - Business, National News - Herald.ie (http://www.herald.ie/breaking-news/national-news/business/ryanair-to-allow-mobile-phone-use-on-20-aircraft-1645804.html)

[raffele]

Not surprising really. I think a good way to summarise OnAir's services is it acts as a roaming partner, making airspace an additional zone or country (depending on how each home operator operates their roaming services). All roaming services (to the best of my knowledge) charge for both dialling and receiving calls. The only thing that is free is receiving SMS (and possibly MMS).

It will be down to the airlines (BA are implementing OnAir's services on their A318 fleet this autumn) to clearly advise passengers before they travel and use the service to get in touch with their operator as roaming charges will apply, and down to mobile operators to clearly list the charges for roaming in the skies.

What will be interesting to keep an eye on is whether the EU step in and demand that the roaming rules that they're forcing on EU operators on OnAir's services when overflying the EU...

[CornishFlyer]

Am I the only person that doesn't have a problem with people using their mobile phones? At the end of the day, chances are you won't be able to hear or be heard due to the loudness of the aircraft too so not sure it'll be used a huge amount either

[strake]

Texting and Blackberry's, yes..I think it will be useful.

Voice, no more likely to be accepted than current in-flight phones.

[hellsbrink]

CF, when you have an aircraft full of people going for a chavtastic holiday to the Costa del Plonker you can be sure that there will be a heck of a lot of people who are half canned yelling to their mates that they are at "X" altitude over somewhere, you'll have blokes yelling at their woman to get off the phone because it costs too much, kids playing with the ringtones so they are kept amused, others talking about business deals (or pretending to), etc, etc, etc.

As there will be a load of people using their phones on any given flight, plus the ambient noise, they will all get louder and louder. Think about what it can be like on a train, and then multiply it. You can be sure that someone will kick things off because of someone else using their phone, and all it needs is one nervous pax to be the one who is stressed like a piano wire and having to suffer someone gabbling away on his cellphone and you have a situation.....

[Avman]

Well, you're both blind then! What's this: http://www.pprune.org/passengers-slf-self-loading-freight/362866-ryanair-introduce-mobiles-onboard.html

[Flying_Frisbee]

CF, when you have an aircraft full of people going for a chavtastic holiday to the Costa del Plonker
So are some mobile phone conversations acceptable, depending on the perceived social class of the callers, or the content of the conversation?

[Tim00]

MOL in today's Grauniad: "Anyone who looks like sleeping, we wake them up to sell them things. We will be encouraging our passengers to make as many calls as possible because that will lower our costs and boost our revenues."

I'll have to get an iPod.

[CorkEICK]

I agree with you Cornish but we are really in a minority grouping on this one.

[Load Toad]

So are some mobile phone conversations acceptable, depending on the perceived social class of the callers, or the content of the conversation?


No - but yes but no.

[dicksorchard]

Flying Frisbee = Quote:
So are some mobile phone conversations acceptable, depending on the perceived social class of the callers, or the content of the conversation?
Well said ! Im sick of this mini class war going on within the depths ov this so called proffesional forum . Prejudice ooze's from within these web pages .

I don't suppose you get chav's on British Airways now do you ?

So its ok for good old Ba passengers to phone home to their better halfs

" Daphne Darling will be home around 10pm put the champagne on ice dear , get my harrods bathrobe & slippers warmed up on my £2000 heated towel rail peeps Oh and don't forget i want the Fortnum & Maison Cavier to be room temps ..luv u xx

But no phones for us Serfs who fly Ryanair

" Hey La your not goin to F--kin believe this ? I managed to get 60 sleeves of L& B in that suitcase r kid lent me ..
For F--ks sake dozy hole - you know the one with the big LFC badge and false bottom ! The one he bought back from Columbia before he got nicked !
Do me a favour woman ...stay in the carpark and keep the engine tickin over ..never mind what for ! "

Toad Load - No - but yes but no = I had To Laugh ..very Witty !

but seriously folks - Its ok for BA but not Ryanair ...get a grip !

[Michael SWS]

Has anyone here actually said that it's OK for BA but not for Ryanair?

[hellsbrink]

Methinks pretty much everyone is against mobiles on planes, full stop.


I know I am, the last thing you want is to spend hours sitting next to some eejit wittering on about business deals, or people just talking rubbish because they are "on the plane, flying over your house... NOW"

[raffele]

I don't think anyone has said it's OK for BA but not for Ryanair. I'm not totally sure what it's in reference to either.

What BA are doing when they roll out OnAir on the A318s this autumn is setting the system up to allow SMS and data (email) only - not voice. Then, if there is demand, they will activate the system for voice too.

I think this is a better way of dealing with it. You won't then hear "yeah I'm on the plane" every two seconds. And I doubt anyone will be ringing anyone on the overnight flight back to the UK.

I do think though that if a silent (in terms of mobiles) cabin is to be employed, then perhaps a clause "you must switch your device to silent/vibrate" should be included.

Me thinks Ryanair could become an unbearable airline to travel on... Well, aside from the no luggage, no carry on, no wheelchair or pushchair, no check-in desk, no contact with a human on the ground, everything must be done on the internet or else policy that's coming into full effect...

[BladePilot]

So the truth about mobile use in the air finally surfaces! So now that they have found a way to efficiently capture your signal and retransmit it using the OnAir technology whilst applying extortionate charges it's now safe to use your mobile onboard but they're still doing their best to carry on with the illusion by having that cute wee light come on (just like the seatbelt sign) to advise you that it's now 'safe to use your mobile' reality is this will probably be illuminated once the aircraft is above a certain height to avoid you connecting to any other network that your phone may pick up at lower altitudes. Essentially it'll be 'safe' to use your phone when the only roaming signal your phone will pick up is.. you guessed it the OnAir signal.

Nice one MOL:ok:

[hellsbrink]

Well, of course the OnAir will be the only signal you get, even on the ground, as your phone will connect to the nearest "cell" so it uses less power. And since that cell transmitter is in the roof above your head, your phone will connect to that unless you say "NO" or it gets too swamped by others and doesn't have the bandwidth to handle the traffic.

[raffele]

Just had a thought - I can envisage crew using the "privilege" of being able to use your phone on board to get back at those annoying passengers.

Pax: "I want an upgrade, because I feel important and therefore I am important"
Crew: "That will be XXX please"
Pax: ":O I shouldn't have to pay!"
Crew: "Then don't pay and stay where you are"

some time later

Crew: "We would like to apologise, but we will not be offering mobile services on board this flight..."

Obviously not an issue on Ryanair, being all cattle class.. But you get the idea

[WHBM]

Quite apart from whether people like this concept or not .....

There have been various complaints in recent years from those travelling on Aer Lingus, Ryanair, etc, that they were prohibited when airborne from using electronic items, even CD players and similar, which were acceptable on other carriers. This was down to some requirements from the Irish CAA (IAA) which were more stringent than elsewhere. Both Aer Lingus and Ryanair have their fleets registered in Ireland.

So what has happened to this requirement ? Did Michael O'Leary tell the IAA to take a running jump ?

[Flying_Frisbee]

Leaving aside the pros and cons of this, I can see this making it more likely that people are going to expect to be able to use their mobile on aircraft that haven't been fitted with On-air's system

[raffele]

Good point, however this is (so far) only about half the fleet of a single airline. It's still going to be a luxury for a while (luxuries on Ryanair? :eek:)

I'm wondering if Ryanair have inadvertently turned themselves into the guinea pigs for this service

[Pax Vobiscum]

Chicago Bears fan hit for thirty grand for a bit of Slingbox (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/02/23/roaming_on_ship/)

OK this was a ship not a plane, but the same thing could easily happen. There was a story a while back of someone who was downloading from BBC iPlayer at their home, closed the laptop, flew to Europe and the background data transfer automatically resumed in their hotel = one very large monthly bill. Imagine that happening on a transatlantic flight :E

My regular query on this topic is - what happens when the on-board GSM cell fails and all the active phones ramp up to full power in an effort to contact the next nearest cell 10 km below? But I will refrain from boring everyone by asking it again - oops I just did :*

[raffele]

Pilots notice avionics going haywire, switch OnAir off and tell passengers to switch their mobile devices off. Simple. Valid point however

[Flying_Frisbee]

My point was more about the fact that there will now be flights on which it's ok to use mobiles, and others (probably with the same carrier) that are not. Now, my parents are regular flyers, but still get mixed up between duty free restrictions, security requirements, etc.
I can see lots of genuine misunderstandings over this.

[raffele]

I'm sure airlines will continue to remind passengers as part of the safety brief that mobile devices must be kept switched off for the duration of the flight. And obviously if the flight crew notice something funny with the plane they can remind pax that their phones should be switched off

[boardingpass]

I think the worst thing will be during delays, circling above a closed airport, etc when pax call their partners in the airport and then yell to everyone, 'the pilots are lying, my girlfriend says there are planes landing right now!'. Or, 'you have to upgrade me right now, I've got Jane from the executive club on the phone and she's authorised it!'.

I've experienced similar things on the ground when pax demand I speak to their lawyer on their mobile when we have to offload cabin bags into the hold when their is no more room. I can't imagine the scenarios in the air.

[manintheback]

Pilots notice avionics going haywire, switch OnAir off and tell passengers to switch their mobile devices off. Simple. Valid point however


Could be a bit late if the thing is already diving into the ground - my real suspicion is that Mobiles were never a safety issue

The system on Ryanair planes only allows for 6 simultaneous calls - so you have to assume that everyone elses phone will be ramping up to max power trying to grab the signal. Given the cost I suspect many will keep the things off anyway

[Whatisthematrix]

Whilst the system may only be able to support 6 calls and any one time (a limitation of the "off aircraft" connection), the transceiver on board is capable of having more mobile phones connected to it.

I suspect that certification for systems of this type (remember Emirates have been flying with the AeroMobile system for nearly a year now) required demonstrations that even with a phone at every seat transmitting at full power simutaneously would not affect the performance of the aircraft or, more importantly, the safety of those travelling on it.

The airworthiness authorities (who have no commercial agenda) would not allow systems like OnAir and AeroMobile to operate on commercial aircraft if the safety of the aircraft was impacted.

[Scumbag O'Riley]

Regulatory authorities most certainly do have a commercial agenda, go look at their mission statement/objectives which are set by the government. It's the bodies which investigate accidents which don't have commercial agenda and which is why they often disagree on a course of action after an accident.

Lots of stories out there that your local xAA is in the pocket of the airlines (usually involving the 'flag carrier').

I think being allowed to send/receive SMS is a good thing. I would make use of that.

[dicksorchard]

Michael SWS (http://www.pprune.org/members/223240-michael-sws)

No one actually said that it was ok for BA passengers and not Ryanair passengers to use mobile phones whilst on board an aircraft ......

I was actually responding to what Hellsbrink previously said

aircraft full of people going for a chavtastic holiday to the Costa del Plonker

and Flying Frisbees response to it !

So are some mobile phone conversations acceptable, depending on the perceived social class of the callers, or the content of the conversation?


What i was actually trying to point out to you in my hopeless attempt at humour was that there seems to be a distinct whiff of prejudice and snobbery within some pprune posts especially with reference to Ryanair and its passengers ?

Misconcieved stereotyping of its passengers for a start ! Chav is a word that never seems to be mentioned with reference to any other airlines passengers that i can recall and can someone actually tell me where exactly is the " costa del plonker "

raffele (http://www.pprune.org/members/250715-raffele)

Obviously not an issue on Ryanair, being all cattle class


I travel by Ryanair and last time i looked in the mirror the word Chav did'nt spring to mind and i resent being likened to one of our moo-ing friends !

Little has in fact been said about Ba or any other airline for that matter in relation to the companys plans for mobile phone use on its aircraft and to my knowledge its passengers never seem to be shown in a negative light ?

Sorry if i offended anyone but being labelled a chav simply because i fly Ryanair isnt on chaps !

[nippy1975]

I did find the comment by someone from Ryanair that if you want a silent flight go with BA as the planes are empty amusing!

Amusing but cheeky! :rolleyes:

[raffele]

At dicksorchard:

My cattle class remark was not inferring Ryanair pax are chavs or cattle - simply using one of the stereotypes of economy class on board any airline

I'd also like to make it known that my opinion of Ryanair isn't that of an airline for chavs, but as an airline that caters for those on a budget. Most of the images you see are of people in suits with briefcases... The chav view has only come about because of ITV and their programme featuring EasyJet, most of the episodes contain at least one stag do.

No remarks have yet been made about other airlines and their plans to introduce mobile services because their plans - from the few airlines that have them - aren't anywhere as experimental and extensive as Ryanair's. It's because of this that this whole thread has started!

[hellsbrink]

Well, dicksorchard, I guess you misunderstood what I meant.

What social group do you think are the ones who will be yelling "I'm on the plane", "We're at 20,000' ", etc, or will have their rugrats playing with the ringtones all the way to sunny Spain for their annual "let's get legless" trip?

Also, note how I did say in another post how much people would not like to be stuck beside a business person who is busy talking about various deals, etc, for the entire duration of the flight.

So, you see, it was NOT a dig at the standard of people flying on Ryanair but more of an observation of what sort of people will be causing the most disturbance after they've had a few pre-flight sherbets and then all decide to use their phones at the same time, with the volume increasing according to how many are talking.

Clearer?

[Load Toad]

To be honest it's not so much the social 'class' that is the issue - it's the amount of respect for others that is. I tend to use the term 'chav' (as I don't live in UK and where I am there aren't any) to describe younger people that show little or no respect for others and exhibit anti-social activities whilst embracing all that is bad about adolescent cultures.

For me the pain in the arse about mobiles on board will be flights further spoiled by noise and interference when I'm trapped in very close proximity to a bunch of strangers and prolly having my personal space invaded by some git I don't know at all. I'm dreading having to listen to status conscious minor business men shouting loudly in their local dialects about if their car is waiting at the airport or such - it's bad enough at the moment getting them to switch their hand phones off prior to take off.

On the few hours I have to be on a plane - not by choice cos I'm going on holiday but because I have to to get to work I do rather like having a little peace and allowing mobile phones to be used will further erode what little peace I can get. But that's OK - whilst most of the plane wants peace and quiet the airlines prefer to bend over and help the very few who don't give a rats ass for anyone else's comfort or feelings. Must be money involved.

[Michael SWS]

I did find the comment by someone from Ryanair that if you want a silent flight go with BA as the planes are empty amusing!

Amusing but cheeky! :rolleyes:And completely untrue.

During January, BA's load factor was 73%; Ryanair's was 69%.

[racedo]

During January, BA's load factor was 73%; Ryanair's was 69%.

What was BA's in the whole of 2008 for a real comparison rather than a single month.

[Michael SWS]

No idea. Mine was just a throwaway reply to a throwaway remark - i.e. if BA's planes "are empty" (present tense) then by the same definition Ryanair's must be even emptier.

[Yay!!!]

I hate mobile phones and planes. The pax will be shouting to be heard over the engine noise. I enjoy the flight when it does not contain businessmen talking into the phone.(thanks to a horrible bus ride)

[racedo]

Michael SWS- fair comment

[b737800capt06]

So, what will our terrorist friends do with this access?

Well not much really as back of seat phones been around long time in the USA.

I say it is a good thing for the punter, then again her in doors can reach you at FL038..........:}

[BladePilot]

So how long will it be before some medical expert jumps on the bandwagon and declares that being in a confined space such as a long metalic tube (AKA an aircraft fuselage) surrounded by dozens of mobile phones transmitting xxnumber of watts could seriously damage your health? Kinda puts the mobile network transmitter in the back garden in the shade doesn't it:eek:

Will I be able to scream 'violation of my space/privacy/sanity/health/rights' whatever and demand the crew have the perpetrator switch the offending item off?

if you can't afford to be out of contact whilst flying - don't fly!

[Flying_Frisbee]

b737800capt06 A Mr Bin Laden On The Phone Sir

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, what will our terrorist friends do with this access?

No idea. WHat do YOU think the bogeymen will do with it, since you brought it up?

[cojones]

Just ask your friends in the USA to buy one of these for you and carry it on board with you.
It will ensure your sanity, anyway.
Cell phone jammer, SH066P Handheld mobile phone blocker (http://www.globalgadgetuk.com/Personal.htm)

[Michael SWS]

I'd love one of those jammers for my next trip in the so-called "Quiet Carriage" on Great Western, but they won't ship to the UK because they're illegal over here. :*

[AndyW999]

ActFind.Com - Search Results for "jammer" (http://www.actfind.com/search.php?search_query=jammer&x=0&y=0)

With prices as low as twenty-odd dollars you can't afford to be without one, especially as they jam those pesky GPS wotsits as well!


Andy.

[Alanwsg]

I'd love one of those jammers for my next trip in the so-called "Quiet Carriage" on Great Western, but they won't ship to the UK because they're illegal over here

Oh yes they will ...
Mobile Phone Cell Phone Signal Jammer Blocker 3G on eBay, also, Other Gadgets, Gadgets, Consumer Electronics (end time 09-Mar-09 17:22:02 GMT) (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=190291690002)

[raffele]

I'd love one of those jammers for my next trip in the so-called "Quiet Carriage" on Great Western, but they won't ship to the UK because they're illegal over here
Oh yes they will ...


Hahaha! Great find! Peace and quiet for all... Until MOL finds a way of charging for taking any luggage whatsoever onboard...

[AGPwallah]

Oh NO they won't!!! It's been removed from eBay.

[racedo]

Use of a jammer is illegal and gets you arrested if used on a flight under the Interfering with Flight.

[Skipness One Echo]

So I guess I could buy one in the US and just carry it home in my luggage? I hate phones on trains, people are such twats and have no conception of manners ( said ranty Daily Mail reading pensioner....) anyhoo, there ought to be a "Mobile" carriage where you CAN use the phone with a blanket ban otherwise. I believe such behaviour is considered appalling in Japan....

Racedo is right ( again ? really ? ) ! Don't even think about using them in flight! Plod would have a field day....

[racedo]

I believe such behaviour is considered appalling in Japan....


Even more than that as have used the Shinkansen on a couple of long trips there with some Japanese friends and watched as some other non Japanese though it was ok even when asked politely by a man to go to end of carraige as there are loads of notices asking people to do that..

Conductor eventually reminded them that 1.) it was against the law and you were required to go to end of carraige 2.) if another passenger complained the train would make an emergency stop and they would be arrested and J-Rail passes would get confiscated and cancelled.

Funnily enough they complied very quickly.

Do love Japan as it is so civilised.

[PAXboy]

Why are people so bothered by this? The background noise levels in the cabin mean that you would only hear people in your immediate vicinity and they are dealt with by using Noise Canx headphones and your iPod.

I am someone who does NOT like intrusive use of mobile phone but I just don't think that this is going to be the problem that people think it is. For the ones that are truly a nuisance, comfort yourself with the fact they are going to get a VERY nasty shock on their bill.

[BladePilot]

Hey Hey!
Just found this whilst browsing through Vodafone's (Ireland) price plans. Well now I don't suppose FR would be in a rush to make this known to all their passengers:=

>>>copied from Vodafone Ireland website >>>
Some airlines, including Ryanair, are now making it possible for passengers to use their mobiles during flights. However, all in-flight mobile phone calls require a satellite link up, which results in very high costs for customers, over and above our normal charges for roaming across Europe. In order to determine customer demand for the service and to protect customers from the possibility of higher-than-expected charges, Vodafone Ireland have decided not to make this service available to our customers at this time.

:uhoh:

[Whatisthematrix]

So has anyone actually used this service on Ryanair?

[BaronChotzinoff]

Thankfully, despite being forced to use Ryanair a lot, I've yet to experience anyone using a mobile on board.

But Ryanair seem to have more than compensated for this by now making the request for trolley-dolly services TWICE :ugh: and has introduced lots of other intrusive, stultifying announcements to mimic the most obstreperous phone user.

Flying Ryanair doesn't make you a chav but go to any airport anywhere and you're bound to be embarrassed by a group of rowdy Brits making complete arseholes of themselves, sorry.