We are brain stormed daily that the mobiles act dangerously if we use them close to petrol stations, at hospitals ( especially for heard deceases ) they are forbidden , they say that the continue usage harms the brain, that they must not be used by children , etc. And now they are moving towards the usage of the mobiles within aircrafts during a flight !

I consider that the marketing and the increase in earnings for specific companies must not jeopardize the safety of people, unless what we hear till now for the damaging effects of the continue usage of the mobile-phones ( even on ground ) is a big lie !

Using mobile phones on short haul flights is silly. If you were not able to finalise business prior to your flight, just wait a few hours untill you can. On long haul flights I can see the benefits, but only for text and e-mail mode. Speech mode is no need for and is irritating.

I agree that there should not be any permission for inflight cell phone use. I travel a lot mainly for R&R and I would like to start of by not hearing cell phones ringing...that's what I get away from. So please keep the pressure on by not allowing this to happen. Signed Peace of Mind

Closeted in an enclosed bubble of steel amongst strangers is difficult enough but to be bombarded by a shrieking variety of ringtones and singsong voices of varied conversations stimultneaously reverberating in ones ear can truly become a nuisance. I value the little space and downtime I get when flying and unless a death threatening emergency is on hand, then I believe airlines should reconsider allowing the use of mobile phones during a flight. Modern technology is not always a welcome convenience.

I feel that the only way to avoid disturbing people with this cell phone thing is to make the airline provide a room which is soundproofed from the rest of the cabin and allow only outgoing calls freom there or persons expecting calls inward must remain seated there. No cell phone may be switched on in the main cabin ever. Otherwise it is an imposition on other passengers that is stress we can all do without.

I don't think you should "plead with the airlines" at all. I think you should DEMAND on my behalf that this practice not profilerate.

Have you ever had a good dining experience "ruined" by some loud oaf at the next table on a cell phone letting us all know how important he is? Disgusting!

This is an interesting article.

I see people have some ups & downs towards this dilema.

I honestly thing. Silent Mode should be activated.
No PHONE CALLS ALLOWED.
But text & E-Mail to go ahead.

This has been trialled on a Qantas Flight from Sydney to Perth earlier this year. And there wern't many complaining on board.

Although in-flight cell phone usage restrictions are being promised by adopting airline subscribers and suppliers, this "real time" connect access represents an unavoidable, confined invasion of privacy which most certaintly add to the escalating travel frustrations of crowed cabins, insufficient overhead bin storage and higher fares.

Based upon the preceding member comments, the overwhelming majority strongly attest in-flight cell phone usage while favoring or limiting internet access to text messaging.

There is ample evidence from public forums including restaurants, theaters, hospitals and places of worship where notices are clearly displayed to silence cell phones-- and routinely ignored by the minority. In each instance, customers have the freedom to leave or move away from the disturbance. No such option is available to the captive air traveler who must rely upon a hesitant crew member to enforce the rules of a revenue service approved by the airline.

Perhaps a reservation seating option identifying cell phone availability could allow the balance of the cabin to be designated as a "quite zone".

We welcome the many service advantages of limited text-messaging as a beneficial convience for passengers to keep-in-touch. We invite you to share your comments and opinions on this very personal issue.

Mobile phones will be used sooner or later on all flights on all airlines. The reality is: airlines will do all they can to increase revenues, and like everywhere else most people use mobile phones with no respect to rules and polite behavior.

I will carry my iPod on the plane and if any passenger starts shouting on the phone I will turn my music on as loud as I can next to him. Let the airlines solve that...

I'm a frequent business traveller and agree with the general concensus that mobile phone calls are not welcome in-flight. Some airlines intelligently let one use the phone until the doors are closed prior to pull-back, or immediately after they are opened after landing. This is useful to advise your destination by txt or voice if the flt is running late, etc. People in general can be inconsiderate and some individuals would abuse this freedom and disturb what has been hitherto, a peaceful escape for us.