First inflight mobile call made on Emirates route

The world's first authorised inflight mobile phone call has been made on a service operated by Emirates.

Conducted last week on a flight between Dubai and Casablanca, the call came ahead of the full launch of the Middle Eastern airline's commercial mobile service.

This will allow passengers to make inflight mobile calls and send and receive text messages on aircraft fitted with special equipment provided by AeroMobile, with BlackBerry users also set to become able to use their devices in the air in future.

Restrictions will be in place, however, as the service will only become enabled at cruising altitude and cabin crew members will be able to exercise the power to prevent calls being made at certain times. In addition, flyers will only be able to make up to five or six calls at a time.

"Our customers are already making more than 7,000 calls a month from our in-seat phones, so we will be making life easier for those for whom staying in touch has become an important part of their everyday lives," commented Emirates chairman and chief executive Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum.

Earlier this month, the carrier announced plans to launch its Airbus A380 aircraft for flights from London to Dubai on December 1st.

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