The new A318 planes will be equipped with OnAir, which allows mobile phones to be used without disrupting navigation.

There will be a six month trial period from March - September 2007 on flights between Europe and North Africa. Air France will be polling passengers on their opinions on the new facility. The poll results will determine if the service will be extended to the entire airline.

This service will allow passengers to:

- receive and send calls and SMS’ on a mobile phone,
- receive and send emails on a laptop or PDA,
- access the internet in WAP/imode.

As much as the service is convenient, I have to say that the last thing I want is to hear phones ringing and overhear everyone’s endless conversations while in flight. It seemed that the airplane was the only place you could escape the ever-present cell phone.

Source: http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/article/20060404100154121