British Airways is set to introduce in-flight phone calls, potentially leading to noisier flights for passengers. This development follows the airline’s decision to implement Elon Musk’s high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi across its aircraft, allowing phone calls and video chats, unlike most other airlines.

With this new service, passengers will have the capability to make WhatsApp calls, participate in Zoom meetings, or even livestream while cruising at altitudes of 40,000 feet.

As a part of the Oneworld alliance alongside American Airlines, British Airways plans to encourage good manners rather than impose strict rules, urging travelers to use headphones and minimize noise disruptions.

However, this move has sparked concerns among frequent flyers and industry specialists, who worry it could disrupt one of the few remaining quiet environments in today’s fast-paced world.

Aviation expert Rhys Jones from Head for Points expressed concern, stating, “The primary worry is being disturbed by people making calls or playing audio loudly.”

Rhys Jones, aviation editor at Head for Points, said: ‘The number one fear is being disturbed by people taking calls or playing audio out loud. 

‘On airlines where calls are banned, the rule is clear. Here, it becomes subjective – and much harder to enforce.’

Most major airlines still prohibit voice calls, even when Wi-Fi is available. 

Passengers could soon face noisier flights after British Airways (BA) announced it will allow in-flight phone calls for the first time 

BA, a partner of American Airlines in the Oneworld alliance, says it will rely on etiquette rather than enforcement – asking passengers to use headphones and keep noise to a minimum 

One notable exception is Qatar Airways, where One Mile at a Time writer Ben Schlappig said passengers have complained about a ‘massive increase in noise.’ 

He warned the added disruption could even spark conflicts – and even fights – mid-flight.

Despite the skepticism, BA is pressing ahead, aiming to equip all 300 aircraft with Starlink over the next two years. 

The first connected flight – a Boeing 787-8 bound for Houston on March 19 – relied on a network of more than 10,000 low-Earth orbit satellites.

Starlink, the satellite internet service powering BA’s in-flight connectivity, is a wholly owned division of SpaceX, the company founded and led by CEO Elon Musk.

Following the successful test, BA chairman and CEO Sean Doyle said the airline is ‘excited to be the first UK airline’ to offer this level of connectivity.

‘We know staying connected matters to people… and Starlink will give our customers fast, reliable Wi-Fi that transforms the onboard experience,’ Doyle said, calling it part of a broader push to modernize the airline.

Meanwhile, flyers are rushing to book flights as prices across the US and internationally climb sharply, driven by the surge in oil prices linked to the war with Iran.

The airline is rolling out Elon Musk’s ultra-fast Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet – and, unlike most carriers, it won’t ban voice or video calls

One Mile at a Time writer Ben Schlappig said passengers using Qatar Airways, who’s the sole company allowing on-flight calls, have complained about a ‘massive increase in noise’

In some cases, fares have nearly doubled since the conflict began, prompting travelers to book early to avoid even steeper fares later.

Airline executives had said fares – especially for long-haul flights – are likely to keep rising in the months ahead.

Travel expert Katy Nastro at Going, an American travel technology company, told the Daily Mail that history indicates that fares will likely stay high as airlines deal with the high costs.

She added that ticket prices will ultimately depend on how much travelers are willing to pay.