In this post:
BA to allow phone and video calls on board
When I heard that BA had signed up for Starlink, one of my first thoughts was, I hope they don’t follow Qatar in allowing voice and video calls onboard. Air France also allows these calls, and I am sure more airlines will follow suit.
You would hope people know how to behave when this is allowed on board a plane, but judging by the number of people I see on planes playing videos at full volume with no headphones, I am not hopeful. I can only imagine what the Saturday morning flight to Palma will be like in summer with a planeload of passengers who have had a few beers at 6 am bellowing into their phones “I AM ON THE PLANE”. Or on a business-heavy flight on a Monday morning, where everyone will be on the phone for meetings and business calls.
I personally think it is a terrible idea that is bound to lead to conflict and confrontation on board when people don’t show consideration for others. BA’s first aircraft with Starlink launched in March on a B787, with all aircraft expected to be equipped with it in the next two years, including short-haul planes. Long-haul aircraft will be fitted with the new wi-fi first.
Passengers will be able to make voice and video calls on platforms like FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom, and Teams, as long as they use headphones and keep their voice low. Given that a lot of people can’t manage to do that currently with things such as social media, I think BA is opening a can of worms by assuming people will follow the guidance they have issued on their website:
- You’re making a call, keep your voice low and use headphones.
- Please always use headphones when watching or listening to content on your device.
- Please do not access anything offensive, or watch or download inappropriate content (please note some sites are blocked).
Starlink wi-fi will be free in every cabin on BA. It’s not limited to one device – you can connect on your phone, tablet, and laptop at the same time.
What do you think about allowing these calls onboard? Let us know in the comments below.
Nectar 10-20% bonus offer
Alaska Airlines reveals its business class seats and service for London
Alaska Airlines is expanding its services to Europe next year with flights to London from Seattle starting on 21 May 2026. This will be their first venture into proper long-haul territory, and being part of Oneworld will offer a welcome alternative to BA or AA to the US West Coast. The initial offering sounds pretty impressive, and I look forward to trying it out. Wine, cheese and charcuterie before you even start the meal and an ice cream bar, sign me up! You can, of course, redeem your Avios for travel on Alaska through BA’s The Club or any of the other oneworld carrier loyalty programs.
Alaska Airlines today announced the debut of its all-new International Business Class, a premium long-haul experience launching this spring as the airline expands to Europe and Asia.
The airline’s new International Business Class on brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners will offer:
- Fully lie-flat suites with privacy doors, direct aisle access and lounge-style seating that converts into a true flat bed.
- Modern cabin design featuring 18” HD entertainment screens, over 1500 movies and TV shows, noise-reducing headsets, personal power outlets and wireless charging.
- Elevated “restaurant-quality” dining delivers a multi-course meal which celebrates the flavours of the West Coast and the global destinations Alaska serves.
The experience begins with the welcome service featuring a cheese and charcuterie board — an interpretation of Alaska’s Signature Fruit & Cheese Platter — paired with an expanded selection of wines from the West Coast and regions in Europe, such as Stag’s Leap, including Roederer Champagne, handcrafted cocktails, West Coast craft beer, mineral water and freshly brewed Stumptown coffee.
The meal continues with an appetiser course followed by up to six entrée choices tailored to each route. Options may include roasted chicken with pasta carbonara on flights to Rome and Gochujang chicken with traditional banchan en route to Incheon. You can also select Alaska’s Chef’s (Tray) Table entrée, developed in partnership with Seattle chef Brady Ishiwata Williams, featuring his signature short rib sourced from Klingemann Farms.
Meals can be chosen in advance through Alaska’s pre-order feature in the airline’s app.
Then there will be Alaska’s new dessert cart, showcasing a customizable Salt & Straw sundae service alongside other desserts.
Prior to arrival, guests will be treated to a second lighter meal and drinks, which are destination-inspired, such as a classic full English breakfast on flights to London.
Premium bedding and travel amenity kits will include luxury bedding designed in collaboration with Filson. International Business Class amenities include a plush mattress pad, soft sleeping pillow, lumbar/lounging pillow and oversized duvet — plus a collectable travel amenity bag in two West Coast-inspired Filson colours, created exclusively for Alaska Airlines. Each kit includes premium Salt & Stone skincare products and other travel essentials. Guests will also receive a custom reusable water bottle developed in partnership with PATH Water.
Lounge access will be included across Alaska’s network of lounges and oneworld partner lounges worldwide.
Starlink is also scheduled to be installed on Alaska’s 787-9 Dreamliners this autumn. Starlink is already available on select aircraft across Alaska’s fleet, delivering gate-to-gate connectivity. Starting in May, if you are flying on any Starlink-enabled Alaska aircraft, you will need to sign in using your Atmos™ Rewards number to enjoy Starlink completely free.
2 comments
I agree with you entirely Michelle and have already sent BA a mail asking them to reconsider.
Whilst I doubt that it will make a difference I didn’t want to sit back and ignore this.
For anyone wanting to send something similar I copy the letter below.
==================================================================
Dear British Airways Management,
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent announcement that your new Starlink-enabled Wi-Fi service will permit voice and video calls on board. While I applaud the investment in high-speed connectivity, the decision to allow live voice communication—even with the caveat of “using headphones”—is a significant step backward for passenger comfort and cabin safety.
The aircraft cabin is a unique, confined environment where passengers cannot escape noise nuisance. Unlike trains, which often provide “quiet zones,” an aircraft offers no such refuge. Allowing calls invites a “chatter’s charter” that transforms a peaceful cabin into a noisy office or public square.
History shows that such disruptions frequently escalate into “air rage” incidents where passengers, pushed to their limit by inconsiderate behavior, take matters into their own hands:
Physical Altercations: In recent years, disputes over mobile phone use have led to serious disruptions. In one instance, a mid-flight row over a passenger taking a call resulted in a smashed and smouldering mobile phone, forcing the crew to use emergency fire-containment bags and causing a flight diversion.
Safety Interference: Beyond noise, there are documented cases where passengers refusing to end calls during critical flight phases have caused significant cabin tension. One passenger’s refusal to stop a call and follow safety protocols led to heated insults with fellow travelers and required the pilot to turn the aircraft around.
Crew Burden: By moving from a clear “no-call” ban to a subjective “be considerate” request, you are placing an impossible burden on your cabin crew. They will now be forced to arbitrate what constitutes a “low voice” or “too disruptive,” inevitably leading to more confrontations with unruly passengers.I urge British Airways to reconsider this policy and retain a total ban on voice and video calls. High-speed Wi-Fi should be a tool for silent productivity and entertainment, not a source of cabin-wide conflict.
=====================================================================
The idea of being forced to endure a long haul flight listening to the ramblings of anyone on the phone is enough to make me consider which airline to fly with.Given that BA won’t be making any money out of the calls, perhaps it is something they might see fit to reverse.
That’s a very well worded email Ian with some great points.