The Airbus 380 is a gorgeous aeroplane. It's incredibly quiet, and the onboard technology is a real advance. On Emirates business class through Dubai (to Phuket, on their new direct route) is even better - everything works and the service is flawless. But there's a problem.Emirates' advanced connectivity means people can Skype their friends and family and get text messages like they can anywhere else. Which is great. But the ultra-quiet cabin means I can hear them doing it, even through sound-cancelling headphones. Then there's the otherwise excellent inflight bar.
A chap behind me on the overnight flight back from Dubai made full use of the bar then spent the next couple of hours detailing the quality of the Sancerre, wowing at the technology and updating his position on the inflight map to his friends and family. While everyone else was trying to sleep. I could hear phones chirping and whistling alerts all over the cabin.
I can't be the only person to have a bit of a problem here. We clearly need some new in-flight etiquette. Do I ask him to switch it off? Should the crew take action? Or should Emirates provide a quiet area to make loud calls from?
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