TravellersConnected.com, a . [travel Web site designed to provide . [travel companions with an online community, asked 1,300 regular international travellers how they felt about the imminent reality of mobile phone usage on planes and over 78% were opposed to the prospect.

As early as mid-Summer airlines including Ryanair and Emirates will be exploiting cutting edge technology from British company AeroMobile to offer passengers the option of making calls and sending text messages on flights. Further airlines including BA and Virgin Atlantic are also considering implementing the new system on their planes.

However, whilst some airlines believe this service will enhance the passenger experience, has discovered that it could well be a move that spectacularly backfires on the airlines choosing to pursue it.
TravellersConnected.com spokesman Alastair Banks gave his view on the findings of the survey:

"We have had numerous members and . [travel companions writing to us expressing their dismay at the prospect of mobile phone usage on planes. The majority believe this scheme is pandering to the business traveller at the expense of the holiday maker."

Website member Lucy Nicholls put forward her view:
"It's bad enough when you are forced to listen to other peoples' conversations, ring tones and message alerts on trains. The thought of the same problem on a long distance flight when you are in a cramped chair and possibly trying to sleep is just a nightmare."

Fellow TravellersConnected.com travel companion Paul Cranley said:
"My wife is scared of flying and finds the whole experience very traumatic. The idea of her having to listen to someone else on the phone as well as coping with the other stresses of the flight is too much -- I can categorically say that we would not fly with any airline that goes ahead with this scheme."

Alastair continues:
"It's clear from our survey that airlines need to carefully consider the social impact of this new technology. Designated mobile free periods would help; however they would by no means negate the issue as many people are clearly opposed to any mobile activity whatsoever."

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