Emirates has extended its commitment to deploy AeroMobile's in-flight mobile connectivity solution on a further 84 aircraft.

The agreement covers the installation of eXPhone, Panasonic Avionics' branding of partner AeroMobile's hardware, on Emirates'Boeing 777-300ERs and 777-200LRs.

Emirates launched connectivity with AeroMobile in March 2008, and aims to fit its entire fleet with connectivity. It's original commitment with AeroMobile covered 98 aircraft, but "three were moved over to this latest commitment so, in effect, it's 95 plus 84", an AeroMobile spokesman explains to ATI and Flightglobal.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The eXPhone system allows Emirates passengers to use their mobile phones, smart phones and BlackBerry devices to make and receive voice calls and SMS text messages in-flight, along with data services such as emails.

An on-screen notification application - which alerts passengers that they are receiving a cell phone call through the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system - is still under development by AeroMobile and Panasonic.

However, because eXPhone is integrated with the Panasonic eX2 IFE system on board Emirates' aircraft, "this provides a platform that will be able to deliver this kind of application in the future", says the spokesman.

Separately, Emirates has a deal in place with AeroMobile rival OnAir to offer in-flight connectivity, including Wi-Fi, to its new Airbus A380 fleet.

Source: Flightglobal

Korean Air launches its own Android Application service from July 29 to users worldwide. The Korean Air Android Application will allow the traveling public to verify and search up-to-the minute flight and airline information with just one touch, similar to the Korean Air iPhone Application launched in May.

Services available through this application, like the iPhone, include flight status check, schedules and availability check, current reservation information, ticket fares and SKYPASS mileage records.

Plus, Korean Air has added a special menu that links directly to the Korean Air travel site (travel.koreanair.com). The site contains many useful travel information including Korean Air’s TV ad for Europe, “Listen to Eastern Europe”, which is a sound tour guide for famous Eastern Europe tour destinations.

To enjoy this privileged service, customers can simply download the free application from the Android market. This application is available in multiple languages including Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese for users all around the world.

With the increasing number of worldwide smartphone users, Korean Air will continuously upgrade its smartphone application services through supplementing additional functions such as seat reservations and pre-seat assigning to increase passenger’s comfort.

Korean Air’s iPhone Application which was launched in May 17 has been downloaded by more than 120,000 users worldwide.