Singapore Airlines introduces inflight connectivity

Singapore Airlines customers will soon be able to access the internet and use their mobile phones while up in the air.

Singapore Airlines customers will soon be able to access the internet and use their mobile phones while up in the air.

The airline is using inflight connectivity provider OnAir to introduce full onboard communications from as early as the first half of 2011.

The new technology will allow customers to text from GSM-compatible phones, send and receive emails using their smartphones and Blackberries and also make and receive phone calls.

The technology will be introduced progressively through flights on the airline’s Airbus A380, Airbus A340-500 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

Yap Kim Wah, the airline’s senior vice president product and services, said: “Today, with the increasing importance of remaining connected, and the more affordable charges made possible by the higher useage and more advanced technology, we are now fitting all our long-range aircraft with the full suite of telephony and internet features so that our customers can stay connected.

“Unlike the earlier trial introduction of an internet service, this suite of features is for full implementation and we are pleased to offer this as an added choice to our inflight programme.”