Emirates launches mobile phone service onboard A380

Emirates has launched an inflight mobile phone service onboard an A380 aircraft. In partnership with Emirates connectivity partner, OnAir, passengers aboard Emirates’ A380 aircraft will now be able to stay in touch via phone calls or through the mobile data link on their personal devices with their family, friends and colleagues while inflight.

The service is in addition to the OnAir WiFi service already available on Emirates A380 aircraft.

The OnAir system allows passengers to use their own mobile phones to make and receive phone calls and text messages from Emirates A380 aircraft inflight, just as they would on the ground, using EDGE/GPRS connections through their mobile service provider.

Emirates first A380 equipped with the full suite of OnAir connectivity departed from Dubai international Airport to Munich International Airport on 2 October and the first recorded A380 inflight call was placed to China while the aircraft cruised at 11,500 metres.

Emirates is the largest A380 operator in the world and has now carried more than 10 million passengers flying more than 150 million kilometres since the double decker was introduced to its fleet in August 2008. The airline’s A380 operations is supported by more than 3,000 dedicated cabin crew, and Emirates’ state-of-the-art facilities at Dubai International Airport will soon be augmented by the opening of a dedicated A380 terminal early next year.

The OnAir mobile system will be available on all future A380 deliveries and will be retro-fitted to Emirates current fleet of 25 A380 aircraft.