Airlines 'to focus on inflight messaging'

A new report has suggested that airlines will increasingly look to roll out inflight text messaging and email services to boost their business class flight offerings.

Major carriers will come under pressure from their smaller counterparts to offer such services and help business class customers work more effectively inflight, according to the study from Freesky Research.

Such messaging facilities may include data plans that can be paid for in advance using frequent flier miles or combined with upgrade certificates, it added, as well as being provided as an annual subscription service.

"Text messaging, email and other productivity applications will eventually become as important to serving high yield customers as lie-flat beds in first class and elite status benefits for frequent fliers," commented report author David Gross.

This might represent good news for fliers who are already anticipating the rollout of inflight mobile services in the future.

UK telecoms regulator Ofcom outlined proposals to allow carriers to provide mobile phone services while in the air earlier this year.

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