The frequent and ever-so-polite instructions to turn all mobile phones off when boarding a flight may soon be a thing of the past.

In early 2007 Air France are set to have the first aircraft fitted with mobile phone enabling equipment.  The airbus A318 will be the first aircraft to be fitted with the GSM equipment that will make mobile phones on board a reality.  The airline will conduct a six-month trial on short- haul flights within Europe to test the viability of the technology.

The airline believes they are responding to a growing passenger demand to communicate onboard.  Generally, many members of the Discussion Board find the new technology a hindrance.  Many members enjoy their time of un-contactable bliss air travel ensures.  Furthermore, noisy fellow passengers speaking loudly and frequently on their mobile phone is an unappealing prospect.

Have your say on the discussion board: innovative invention or unnecessary hindrance?

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Rough Landing

Do the 767�s land harder then other planes?  Our members PONDER THE QUESTION: are the landings getting rougher?  One member says any landing is a good landing!

The Verdict on Jetstar International

Is the impending arrival of Jetstar International a cause for excitement?  Gauge our MEMBER'S REACTION.

Arrival and Departure times

The release of airlines success rate for on-time arrivals and departures has caused some members to QUESTION THEIR VALIDITY.

Taxi Troubles

Take some tips from our members on how to DODGE THOSE TROUBLESOME TAXI QUEUES; trying a different terminal seems to be a winner.

To Recline or Not to Recline

Our members continue to discuss the big questions of air-travel: is it poor ETIQUETTE TO RECLINE in economy class?

Mobile Phones: Switch them off or leave them on?

Our members discuss how many people actually heed the warning to switch MOBILE PHONES off.  The general consensus is to switch off; few members are willing to be liable for interfering with the aircrafts operations.

Why Fly Qantas?

Our members ponder the question: What�s next? Once you�ve reached the coveted platinum status WHY KEEP FLYING QANTAS?

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Australian Airlines Axed

The Qantas Cairns-based leisure brand Australian Airlines has been disbanded.  The planes are set to be repainted and returned to Qantas mainline operations.  The disbanded airline claims they are now focussing more resources on launching the low-cost Jetstar International later this year.

Virgin Blue up For Grabs

A whooping 62.4% shareholding in Virgin may be up for grabs following the hostile takeover of the Patrick Corporation early last month.  Speculation is now mounting over when and how much of Virgin Blue will be released onto the market.

The obvious question is: Who will buy it? Singapore Airlines has publicly announced it has no interest in buying part of the carrier.  Richard Branson has expressed a desire to reassert complete control over the airline and increase his current shareholding.  Financial analyst�s doubt it will be a quick sale due to the volatile nature of the business.

United Frequent Flyer Program to Change

From October, Frequent Flyers of United Airlines Mileage program could face fees for the first time and be required to cash-in more miles to gain rewards.  In its first overhaul of the program for five years, a fee of $75 will be added to flights booked using redeemed miles if purchased less then six days before departure.

Flying Trouble Caused by Lack of Pilot

Delta Airline Pilots are set to strike if the proposed new wage cuts are implemented.  Talks between unions and the airline are aiming to avert a strike that would be fatal to the airlines recovery effort after near bankruptcy.  Delta have weathered two similar situations and previously been successful in averting a strike.  Travellers are warned to pay with credit card if planning to fly with Delta so that the charge can be cancelled in the case of a strike.

Luggage Weight Crackdown

Imminent business-people are the targets in the latest crackdown on luggage carried onto planes.  The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is encouraging airlines to use their legal authority to limit the weight and size of baggage taken into cabins.

A CASA spokesman places business people as the main offenders of luggage overload because they do not want to wait for luggage at the end of a flight.  This has caused speculation that the ever-popular self-service check-in�s need to be better manned.

This month Qantas received some bad press when they refused to fly a disabled basketball team together.  The refusal was due to the inability to accommodate the entire team�s wheelchairs on one flight.  Virgin Blue played the white knight and stepped in to save the day.  Virgin flew half the team and their wheelchairs whilst Qantas flew the rest of the team on separate flights.  Whilst Virgin were more than happy to bask in the hero-status the deed afforded them, Qantas was left red-faced.

The whole affair was a public-relations nightmare for Qantas.  News programs had poignant footage of the upset basketballers and news-readers could smugly �tut-tut� Qantas.  The Qantas website gives the impression that Qantas are fully-equipped for all your mobility-aid needs.  They provide in-flight wheelchairs free of charge and will carry one mobility aid in the cargo hold at no cost.  They further accommodate the disabled by booking them on a different flight if their wheelchair is too large for the aisles of the specific plane.  All the relevant procedures seem to be in place, so why could Virgin fly the team and Qantas insisted on flying each member on separate flights?

Admittedly, expecting the carrier to accommodate the wheelchairs of an entire basketball team would understandingly be onerous. However, it begs the inevitable question: How disability-friendly are our airlines?