MAS wins race for in-flight mobile

Malaysia - In answer to the persistent call for in-flight mobile connectivity, Malaysia Airlines, with the help of AeroMobile, has become the first Asian carrier offering in-flight mobile phone and data services, a coup it is likely to leverage as a marketing opportunity.

The service – which has been implemented as a trial – is in line with the airlines’ Business Transformation Plan and assurance that its Customer Value Proposition delivery will enhance hassle-free travel for its passengers, said Datuk Seri Idris Jala, managing director and chief executive officer (CEO), Malaysia Airlines.

The system is enabled on Boeing 777-200 aircraft which serve selected European routes, Australia, and across the Asian region, including China and Japan.

It will also be available on Malaysian Airlines’ regional and long haul routes including flights to Africa, Japan, Australia and the Middle East.

“This is one of the in-flight service comforts that we are introducing on a trial basis for our customers as a Five Star Value Carrier,” Idris said.

“If the evaluation findings are positive, we aim to have this facility fully operational in the remaining wide body aircraft of our fleet by next year.

“With this facility, we definitely have a competitive edge and firmly believe that both our business and leisure passengers will very much welcome this new service,” he added.

The system allows passengers to use their BlackBerry®, personal digital assistant (PDA) and mobile phones to send or receive email, text messages and even to make and receive voice calls during the cruise phase of flight, without affecting the aircraft systems and ground telecommunication networks.