From time to time we get requests from members to publish a list of airlines that permit cell phone voice calls during flight. Unlike airline performance statistics and rankings, this type of information is not readily available from a single source, since very few airlines have actually implemented such a policy. So what airlines have considered, tested or implemented the use of cell phones in flight?

Although the technology has been around for several years, many airlines have been slow to permit the use of cell phones in-flight for reasons ranging from regulatory restrictions to customer opposition. Aside from those carriers that insist they will ban the use of cell phones during flight, most other airlines are taking a wait-and-see approach. Of course this depends on what rules allow it in the first place. The U.S. Congress recently upheld a ban on in-flight cell phone use, while regions such as Europe will allow its use.

Our members have been fairly vocal when it comes to in-flight cell phone use. While many favor the ability to send text and email messages during flight (silently, of course), most members clearly object to a passenger's ability to make and receive voice calls at cruising altitude. Although we haven't gone as far as calling for an outright ban on cell phones in flight, we support the majority of our members who insist that the use of such devices be closely monitored and restricted so as not to annoy other passengers. We will definitely keep a close eye on this issue as more and more airlines consider the use of mobile devices during flight.

For the benefit of those who are curious about who has been doing what regarding in-flight cell phone use, we have compiled a brief list of airlines that we know to have considered, tested or implemented the policy. Please note that this list contains information that was available between late 2007 and October 2008. It was obtained from various sources, including airline Web sites, press releases from mobile technology providers, and published articles. IAPA does not guarantee that the information in this list is either the most comprehensive or the most up-to-date. This list is not an endorsement or disapproval of a particular carrier's actions and subsequent decision regarding this matter. To obtain the most accurate information about an airline's cell phone policy, we recommend that members contact the carrier directly.

Please note that airlines that have not considered testing – and still prohibit – in-flight cell phone use are not included in this list.

Airline	Country / Region	Voice Calls?	Route Limitations	Aircraft	Comments
Flybe	UK / Europe	Considering	Unknown	Unknown	Flybe is evaluating conditions that may permit it to test at a later time
Air France	France / Europe	No	intra-Europe short-haul routes	A318 (one aircraft)	Favorable SMS/text and email reviews; voice test not as successful.  Policy not changed.
Qantas	Australia / Oceana	No	Australia and New Zealand	B767-300 / A330	After testing, Qantas will offfer SMS, text and email but no voice calls
V Australia	Australia / Oceana	No	Trans-Pacific	B777	To begin in 2009 for SMS, Text and email; no mention of voice calls
Turkish Airlines	Turkey / Eurasia	No	Europe and Middle East	A340	SMS, text, email only
Qatar Airways	Qatar / Middle East	No	None	All	Despite equipping entire fleet with voice capability, the airline will still ban calls, citing customer reaction
BMI	UK / Europe	Testing	Europe	Unknown	BMI has not provided specifics beyond its intent to evaluate the service in the coming months
SAS	Scandinavia / Europe	Testing	Norway	Unknown	Testing within Norway only
TAM	Brazil / South America	Yes	South America routes	A320	No specific dates given
TAP Air Portugal	Portugal / Europe	Yes	intra-Europe routes	A319 (one aircraft)	6 month trial period to have begun in July, 2008
Oman Air	Oman / Middle East	Yes	Long-haul between Asia and Europe	A330	To be installed in 7 new aircraft due in 2009
Air Asia	Malaysia / Asia-Pacific	Yes	None	A320	To begin in 2009 (entire fleet to be fitted with technology by 2013)
Air Asia X	Malaysia / Asia-Pacific	Yes	None	A330	To begin in 2009
Shenzhen Airlines	China / Asia	Yes	None	B737 / A320	Target completion for fleet by mid-2009
Kingfisher Airlines	India / South Asia	Yes	Long-haul between Asia and Europe and USA	A330 / A340	Targeted for 2009
Royal Jordanian	Jordan / Middle East	Yes	None	A320 / A340	A320 in 2008 and A340 in 2009
Jazeera Airways	Kuwait and Dubai / Middle East	Yes	None	A320	Intends on implementing "quiet times" during which the voice calls can be blocked
Emirates Airlines	UAE / Middle East	Yes	None	A340 / B777	Limited aircraft fitted thus far; airline will impose "quiet times" when calls are disabled
Ryanair	Ireland / Europe	Yes	None	B737	10 aircraft initially; Service imminent as of October 2008
Malaysia Airlines	Malaysia / Asia-Pacific	Yes	Europe,  Australia, Asia	B777-200 (one aircraft)	Entire widebody fleet to be outfitted in 2009 after successful trial