British Airways is defying inflight convention by allowing voice and video calls on board its planes equipped with Starlink wifi.
The airline is rolling out high-speed inflight internet access over the next two years, starting with its longhaul fleet. Using the network of 10,000 satellites in low-earth orbit, pioneered by Elon Musk, BA is promising best-in-class wifi from the departure gate to arrival at the destination.
Every passenger on a Starlink-equipped British Airways jet can avail of unlimited free high-speed wifi. The technology enables many forms of voice communication, from FaceTime and WhatsApp video to Zoom and Teams. It will also facilitate livestreamed Instagram content.
Almost all other carriers ban voice calls. But BA reveals they are permitted, saying: “If you need to take a call during the flight, we’d appreciate it if you could keep your voice low and use headphones.”
Other carriers have strict rules against voice and video calls. United of the US, the Australian national airline, Qantas and Cathay Pacific of Hong Kong are among those emphatically banning such live communication.
Some business travellers will relish the opportunity to conduct meetings at 40,000 feet above the ocean. Influencers will be able to livestream their inflight experience. But travel media professionals expressed concern at BA’s policy.
Sophie Dickinson, deputy travel editor of The Independent, regularly conducts online meetings and interviews. She deplored the decision to allow voice calls, saying: “While I appreciate there may be emergency instances where a phone call could be necessary, the air was once a happy haven from intrusive (and one-sided) conversations.
“As ‘bare beating’ becomes increasingly common on land, I’d prefer it if planes remained an unreachable place – even if that means a meeting needs to be pushed to tomorrow.”
Aer Lingus – sister airline to British Airways in the IAG group – is a rare exception to the no-voice-call rule, echoing the BA request to “keep your voice low” when taking or making calls using Starlink wifi.
The policy from the UK and Irish airlines could lead to demands for a “quiet zone” on board flights, in the same way as phones are banned from some train carriages.
Rhys Jones, aviation editor of the frequent flyer website Head for Points, said: “It will be interesting to see how this plays out. The number one concern amongst our readers amidst the roll-out of Starlink wifi has been the potential to be disturbed by inconsiderate passengers playing music out loud or taking video and phone calls.
“It’s clearly a common concern which has led many other airlines to ban such calls outright.
“The other question is whether BA’s permissive stance will make it harder for cabin crew to enforce. On airlines where calls are banned the policy is very clear. But who decides when a passenger crosses the line and is being too disruptive and unruly? By allowing calls on board both Aer Lingus and BA blur the line between what is and isn’t acceptable.”
Air France does not explicitly ban inflight voice calls. But the French carrier says: “To ensure a quiet environment on board, we kindly ask you to use your electronic devices discreetly. Out of respect for everyone’s privacy, we also kindly ask that you do not photograph or film passengers and crew without authorisation.”
Ryanair is likely to remain free of video and voice calls for some time, after chief executive Michael O’Leary engaged in a public feud with Elon Musk about the wisdom of installing Starlink.
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