Using the Telephones on Board

Hello. Im travelling from MAN in a couple of days. I will be with my 9yo son who is autistic....he's bound to want to call somebody with the at seat telephones...just wondered does anyone have an experience of using them...any tips would be appreciated...thanks.

Originally posted by chrishac
Hello. Im travelling from MAN in a couple of days. I will be with my 9yo son who is autistic....he's bound to want to call somebody with the at seat telephones...just wondered does anyone have an experience of using them...any tips would be appreciated...thanks.

HI and welcome to v-flyer !

I have to use them frequently and have no real problem with them except sometimess you may have to ask the Cain Crew to switchem them on ! Even my sister, who is a salf confessed techno phobe, uses them with no problem.

Good Luck

Hackneyguy

[Decker]

and they're expensive [;)]

Thanks it sounds pretty easy...does anyone know how much they cost?

[Pete]

Something like $9 per minute, from memory

Originally posted by chrishac
Thanks it sounds pretty easy...does anyone know how much they cost?

I don't remember exactly and it does vary from airline to airline (I am really bad at prices/costs) I just dial then swipe and talk - it is not a hobby but there are times when I MUST make a quick call - the cost to me of not making it would be greater than the charge to my card.

Hackneyguy

Thanks for your advice everyone...it will be fun to talk to the family at 35,000ft even if it is $9! Thanks again

[Nottingham Nick]

Good luck with it chrishac - I think I can honestly say, that in all the flights I have ever taken with VS; I have never seen anyone actually using the phones. [:I]

Nick

I did it once, ages ago, 1998 or something, on one of my first UC flights to SFO, sitting having to much champagne (remember when that was possible, when they actually loaded it) and I thought it would be fun to call the no. 1.

Never done it since. Which kinda validates that mobile phones in flight are unnecessary ... we've had telephony for years, no one uses it, therefore we can actually spend eight or ten hours in a plane without shouting into the mobile!

[buns]

Hi Chrishac and welcome to V-Flyer

I am assuming that your flight with your 9 yr old will be with Virgin. If this is the case, it may well be that the 747 aircraft will have the Super Nova IFE system which has the phones located at the bulkhead rather than at seat.

I have flown frequently on these aircraft and can never recall anyone actually using them as they are so obvious.

Sorry if this is disappointing for you

buns

Originally posted by slinky09
I did it once, ages ago, 1998 or something, on one of my first UC flights to SFO, sitting having to much champagne (remember when that was possible, when they actually loaded it) and I thought it would be fun to call the no. 1.

Never done it since. Which kinda validates that mobile phones in flight are unnecessary ... we've had telephony for years, no one uses it, therefore we can actually spend eight or ten hours in a plane without shouting into the mobile!

I appreciate there may be occasions when phoning in flight is essential, and usually my mobile is on 24/7, but I really look forward to the time on board when the phone is turned off. That said why is it as soon as I land I just have to make a call?

[HighFlyer]

It is funny that so many travellers just have to make a call when they land, but the call isnt that important to warrant a $9 a minute fee [:D]. I used the phone onboard to call a friend many years ago. I thought it was rather cool to speak to him in the air - till i saw the bill when i got back. [:D]

Thanks,
Sarah

I don't think I have ever witnessed anyone using the onboard phones. I don't even know how the LGW work!

I was thinking of calling my other half in mid-air flying with SIA to Sydney in December. I told her my plan and got a look that I can only describe as [n]

Oh well - saves me a bit of cash I suppose.

I phoned home once on new years eve from somewhere over Russia. It was all rather painless, except for the bill.
Other than that I don't think I recall ever seeing anyone else use them.