Airlines still undecided on VoIP

Airlines adopting in-flight internet services generally opt against enabling VoIP services for passengers but the technology is being used by crew on planes, an expert reveals.

US technology firm AirCell has implemented internet services into seven airlines, enabling its passengers to access a range of web-based communications during flights.

However, the company's chief executive Jack Blumenstein told the Boston Globe that among the three airlines to have launched the service - American, Delta and Virgin America - all have opted to block VoIP calls.

"There's a social issue. People don't want to have people talking around them on their cell-phones," he explained.

"The nightmare of 20 people on the plane shouting, 'Can you hear me now,' all the way from Boston to LA...a lot of people have taken positions saying we don't want that. So we block it."

Despite this, Mr Blumenstein added that VoIP handsets are being used "by the cockpit crew and cabin crew for voice communications to their operations centre".

According to a recent report by Telegeography, there were 35 million established VoIP connections in Europe by the close of 2008.