British Airways recently began installing Starlink Wi-Fi, which is an exciting development, given that it will eventually unlock fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the carrier’s fleet. While this is great news on the surface, British Airways has one surprising policy that’s sure to delight some, and upset others.
In this post:
British Airways isn’t blocking or banning inflight calls
Generally speaking, airlines have rules against making video and voice calls via inflight Wi-Fi. We’re finally at the point where we’re seeing inflight connectivity that’s fast enough to support these kinds of uses. The major concern is how disruptive it will become if you start allowing inflight voice and video calls, in terms of people not using headphones, talking too loudly, not silencing phones, etc.
Up until this point, Qatar Airways has been one of the only airlines in the world that has allowed these kinds of calls. Meanwhile a vast majority of other airlines have banned them. With British Airways having recently launched Starlink, we’re now learning the carrier’s policy on this — to my surprise, British Airways seems to be adopting Qatar Airways’ policy.
When you go to British Airways’ Starlink Wi-Fi page, you’ll see that the airline writes “please be considerate” with how you use Starlink, and “if you’re making a call, keep your voice low and use headphones.”
Meanwhile when you go to the FAQs section about what Starlink Wi-Fi can be used for, you’ll see it specifically references “video calls.”
Is this good news, or will British Airways reconsider?
I’ve written before broadly about the topic of whether airlines should allow video and voice calls, now that we’re at a point where bandwidth can support it.
The issue here is self-selection — we probably all think we should be able to make these kinds of calls, while thinking others are inconsiderate jerks when they do so.
Do you need to quietly take part in a conference call, where you’re using headphones, speak at a reasonable volume, and don’t have that much you have to say? You should absolutely go for it! Unfortunately you have at least as many people who then end up making endless FaceTime calls without headphones, not turning off their ringers, screaming into their phones, etc.
More on Qatar Airways than any other carrier, I’ve heard a lot of complaints from passengers where they almost wish there wasn’t Starlink Wi-Fi, due to the massive increase in noise in the cabin. I know I’d certainly be annoyed if people weren’t considerate.
If we see widespread acceptance of inflight calls, I can’t help but think that this could turn out to be one of the next big areas of contention between passengers, and leads to some inflight kerfuffles. 
Bottom line
While many people are excited that British Airways is installing Starlink Wi-Fi, I imagine fewer people will be happy that video and voice calls will be allowed via the service, which could prove pretty disruptive. Even when airlines ask people to be considerate, actually getting people to use headphones, speak at a reasonable volume, etc., is easier said than done.
What do you make of British Airways’ policy on inflight calls — do you view it as a positive or negative?
I’m yet to meet an American who speaks at a reasonable volume…
I've yet to meet a troll who posts an intelligent and informed comment.
I already make videos calls on airlines with faster traditional WiFi.
Trevelinwilly- maybe not all flights but a lot of flights more than exceed 93 percent. So no, I am not just making up numbers! Business travel is what airlines count on to make a profit.
Ben, you are so naughty …. but nice! …. :-)
Playing devils advocate- Is this really more disrupting that two passengers talking to each other in a loud manner?
Nope, not at all. If the calls are business related then it’s a must in today’s business climate.
this will be coming to other airlines precisely, as Ben notes, because technology now supports it.
Business people do not want to have to disconnect; they may choose to disconnect but they do not want to be forced to = and airlines make money because people want to be on their planes.
While some were so worked up about trying to think that UA would somehow trump DL because of DL's announcement of Amazon Leo,...
this will be coming to other airlines precisely, as Ben notes, because technology now supports it.
Business people do not want to have to disconnect; they may choose to disconnect but they do not want to be forced to = and airlines make money because people want to be on their planes.
While some were so worked up about trying to think that UA would somehow trump DL because of DL's announcement of Amazon Leo, the more enlightening part of DL's statement is that they may consider not completely blocking all types of calls it presently blocks.
It is very possible to participate in a zoom call w/o saying much; it is also possible to speak quietly - but many people do not even when they are on the ground.
I am not looking forward to the day that any US airline allows any kind of voice communication over WiFi but take comfort that you can control that stuff in general aviation esp. when my voice communication involves talking to ATC and I can turn off the voice communications of everyone else in the plane - at least what goes into my headset
Been in an airline lounge lately? There's already some self important asshole screaming at top lungs to his overworked, underpaid underlings. Not to mention those screaming to Jethro or Tawakia back home they're in an airport lounge and the booze is free. Now multiply that times 100.
But in an airport lounge one can always move, or leave if the lounge is (very likely) too crowded.
There's no place for relief on a plane.
Hell on earth…or in the skies, in this case.
But BA makes already announcements pre-departure, saying calls are not permitted!
I suspect this may lead to what are on many trains, quiet cars or quiet sections, this way people who want to talk can and those who prefer quiet get their desire. It does seem to work well on trains.
Luckily, I don't see any US domestic airline stupid enough to do this. Unless they can make some serious profit margin off it.
Which they won't be able to as a condition of Starlink is that it is provided on a free to use basis in all cabins on an aircraft. Which going back to your original point is probably why such is absent
If they are adding WiFi calling they should also add headphones must be used to make or receive calls. Failure to do so could get you removed.
I'm BA's case they have announced that alongside commentary that the use of headphones will be strictly monitored. How that pans out IRL remains to be seen of course
Ugh. I wish we had some nice US--> Europe 5th freedom flights from JAL and ANA
If true, it's just another reason not to fly BA.
I don't think they're selling this to the public. For certain companies with a certain type of management this might be a game changer in which airline they choose to put their employees on.
I will say though calling on the bus and subway and in elevators isn't prohibited and the vast, vast majority of people I see calling in these environments keep it to very reasonable levels. By mandating headphone use, I don't think...
I don't think they're selling this to the public. For certain companies with a certain type of management this might be a game changer in which airline they choose to put their employees on.
I will say though calling on the bus and subway and in elevators isn't prohibited and the vast, vast majority of people I see calling in these environments keep it to very reasonable levels. By mandating headphone use, I don't think this would be that different than people talking to their seat neighbors midflight.
93 percent of the traveling public are traveling on business. This needs to happen on so many levels.
"93 percent of the traveling public are traveling on business."
Source please.
Because you pulled that number from your butt.
When I travel on business, 100% of betterbubs are traveling on business. When I travel for leisure, the number drops to 0%.
Trevelinwilly- maybe not all flights but a lot of flights more than exceed 93 percent. So no, I am not just making up numbers! Business travel is what airlines count on to make a profit
"Trevelinwilly- maybe not all flights but a lot of flights more than exceed 93 percent. So no, I am not just making up numbers! Business travel is what airlines count on to make a profit"
I repeat: Source please.
And you switched from citing the number of flyers to profit amounts. Moving the goal posts isn't a good faith gesture in conversation. Investopedia notes that 12% of flyers are business travellers, just btw. You can Google revenue figures on your own.
Surely this is April fools...
@Joe Good point, but given recent content decisions here with lowbrow clickbait reposts from other blogs have become standard practice. April Fools' is becoming all year.
"If we see widespread acceptance of inflight calls, I can’t help but think that this could turn out to be one of the next big areas of contention between passengers, and leads to some inflight kerfuffles."
Ya' think? You want to talk about the future reasons for a spike in air rage incidents, imagine someone who paid for a first class ticket having to listen to some self-important asshole talking at a rock-concert-level volume on...
"If we see widespread acceptance of inflight calls, I can’t help but think that this could turn out to be one of the next big areas of contention between passengers, and leads to some inflight kerfuffles."
Ya' think? You want to talk about the future reasons for a spike in air rage incidents, imagine someone who paid for a first class ticket having to listen to some self-important asshole talking at a rock-concert-level volume on a 16-hour flight. That won't end well.
The issue isn’t just the volume, some languages are naturally more harsh and vicious. Arabic and German cannot sound polite they are by nature crude. Your frequent and colorful use of curse words shows somebody who was raised to fly economy.
"...some languages are naturally more harsh and vicious. Arabic and German cannot sound polite they are by nature crude."
"Harsh?" "Vicious?" "Crude?" Your grasp of English word meaning is poor. Try words like "glottal" and "choked."
"Your frequent and colorful use of curse words shows somebody who was raised to fly economy."
Fuckin' right.
I swore off BA years ago, and this only reinforces my decision. Crap airline with a crappy hub.
I won't be flying BA as long as this stupid policy remains in place.
It's a bit the same topic as allowing kids at luxury resorts.
It's all down to self disciplined. I once took a conference call using BA's wifi (which for once was surprisingly fast), I didn't feel like I was disturbing anyone, because I was keeping myself quiet enough.
The problem is that you are not the majority of people.
Unfortunately, self-discipline seems to be going extinct.
April Fools'?
While I agree that this will probably annoy more than benefit, I think there might be an opportunity for planes with Starlink WiFi to start introducing call booths in non-usable spaces (potentially even as an ancillary and charging for use?) maybe in an area where the ceiling's too low, or perhaps not enough space for a third lavatory?
If anyone with more airline business knowledge can tell me that this is a terrible idea I'd love to hear why!
I guess there MIGHT be a case for this on long-haul. But on short-haul...
Last thing I want on a plane are people making calls over Teams and FaceTime. Even worse without headphones. Will be avoiding BA.
Most people on flights have noise cancelling headphones. This typically does NOT lead to people speaking softly. In fact they usually amp up their voice volume. I would avoid BA at all costs on any overnight flight.
Bad call. Pun intended.
This will go over AWFULLY. I for one will not be pleasant if the guy behind me is on a call on an overnight flight.
This has to be a sick April Fool’s joke, right?