In message , at 08:00:13 on Thu, 5 Apr
2012, Graeme Wall remarked:
Emirates aeroplanes are now equipped on certain routes with equipment
that allows in-flight mobile phone service.

BA have had built in mobile phones on some routes for several years
now.

There's a possibility for confusion between planes with seat-back (or
other) "built-in" phones which you can use, and being able to operate
your own mobile phone from within the plane.

"Dubai-based airline Emirates has become the first commercial
airline to allow passengers to make mobile phone calls during
flights. Emirates said the first permitted mobile phone call was
made on a flight between Dubai and Casablanca."

"The aircraft, an Airbus A340, is fitted with a system which
stops mobiles from interfering with a plane's electronics.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7308041.stm

See also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AeroMobile
--
Roland Perry