Airlines plan in-flight text messaging

After a year-long trial of one-way SMS onboard Singapore Airlines flights, airline technology provider SITA is to launch a commercial two-way service.

The company is working with several airlines to introduce two-way SMS and email by the end of the year.

Passengers will be able to send and receive SMS or email using their in-seat telephone handset.

SMS messages can be up to 160 characters, and users will be able to pay for the service by credit card or by using SITA's Aircom prepaid calling card.

The cost per message has yet to be finalised, but SITA spokeswoman Brigitte Renaud said that pricing would be commercially agreed between the airlines, with SITA taking into consideration what passengers are prepared to pay.

The service will be supported through SITA's Aircom satellite which links via Inmarsat satellites into the company's SMS service.

According to Renaud the service will not interfere with any vital flight systems.

"It is only going to be a software upgrade, with no additions to the existing airborne configuration, so there is nothing to worry about," she said.