`Earth Calling' - Virgin Atlantic Introduces New Phone Technology Onboard; E-mail and 200 Hours of Video On-demand by 2002.Business Editors NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 6, 2000 Today Virgin Atlantic Airways becomes the first airline to enable passengers to receive calls via their mobile phone number while in flight. In addition to this service, Virgin is developing a new flight entertainment system which will enable passengers to send and receive email, use the intranet and internet and enjoy over 200 hours of digital Video on-demand entertainment. Branded `Earth Calling,' the new phone service has been developed by British Telecom The telephone and communications carrier that provides services in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It used to be a division of the British Post Office, but was privatized in 1984 under Margaret Thatcher's administration. (BT) under the title `Mobile Connect.' It allows passengers to charge their air-to-ground calls to their account, and it will also allow passengers to receive their mobile calls while in flight. Mobile phone operators have signed up to this service and will issue Mobile Connect Cards to their subscribers. After boarding the aircraft passengers simply swipe their card through the aircraft handset and dial a registration number. Callers on the ground just dial the normal mobile number and pay only for the normal ground call. William Peltola, head of BT Aeronautical aer·o·nau·tic also aer·o·nau·ti·cal adj. Of or relating to aeronautics. aer  o·nau , said:
"Skyphone Mobile Connect is a major breakthrough that enables passengers to make and receive calls via their cellular network while in flight." Digital Inflight Entertainment System Virgin Atlantic is also catering for passengers who want to forget the stresses of the office by upgrading its Inflight Entertainment system. The digital system manufactured by Matsushita Avionics Corporation will debut on the new fleet of A340-600 aircraft due to be delivered by 2002. The new system will provide passengers with more than 200 hours of digital Video on-demand entertainment on their individual seat back screens with the highest resolution onboard to date. This system will also provide the facilities available to create a modern business environment. Sir Richard Branson Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson (born 18 July 1950 in Shamley Green, Surrey, England), is a British entrepreneur, best known for his Virgin brand of over 360 , chairman of Virgin Atlantic Airways, said: "We have always led the way with inflight technology and entertainment, and we remain committed to delivering the best for our passengers. Today's Virgin passenger is guaranteed the most relaxing, entertaining and enjoyable flight ever! "However, if they prefer to get straight down to business, state-of-the-art office facilities are available. In another first for Virgin, we will be providing the `Earth Calling' service. The new phone facilities mean business passengers can use the planes as a mobile office more effectively - able to stay in touch with people on the ground via the phone, email and internet." Note to Editors: Virgin Atlantic, one of the world's most-acclaimed carriers, received top honors in 2000 as "Best Transatlantic Airline" by Conde Nast Traveler's readers for the third consecutive year; "Best of the Best" by the Robb Report The Robb Report is a magazine about luxury life, featuring products of the lifestyle, such as cars, watches, and real estate. It was originally started by Robert White as a magazine to complement the purchase of a Rolls-Royce automobile. ; "Best Airline to Europe and Beyond" by Entrepreneur; and "Best Transatlantic Airline" by Travel Weekly for the 12th consecutive year. And for three years in a row, from 1998 to 2000, OAG OAG Office of the Attorney General OAG Office of the Auditor General (of Canada) OAG Official Airline Guide OAG Open-Angle Glaucoma OAG Open Application Group OAG Operational Advisory Group has awarded the airline "Best Transatlantic Airline," "Best Long Haul Long distance. Long haul implies traversing a state or a country. Contrast with short haul. Business Class" and "Best European Airline." Virgin Atlantic Airways serves London from 10 U.S. gateways: New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of (JFK), Newark, Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , Orlando, Chicago, San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden , Washington (Dulles), Miami, Boston and Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. . From London, the carrier serves South Africa, Greece, Japan, Hong Kong, the Caribbean, China and India. For reservations and inquiries, please call your travel agent or Virgin toll-free at 800-862-8621, or visit the Virgin Atlantic web site at www.virgin.com. |
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