Ryanair, the low-cost European airline, is rolling out inflight cell-phone calling. As of last week, you can make phone calls mid-flight on 20 Ryanair aircraft. They're planning to provide cell-phone service plans in all 170 of their planes within the next 18 months. Though only six passengers are allowed to make calls at a time (how they will enforce this, I'm not sure), you're also allowed to text and email on smartphones, etc.

Ryanair has dubbed the cell-phone/PDA program "On-Air," and its most distinctive feature is the price. Calls will be logged at €2 to €3 a minute, and texts will cost €0.50 each. They're also pricing email "sessions" at €1 to €1.50. Personally, I'm hoping this program fails miserably. No one wants to be trapped next to someone who's gabbing away to their significant other. Plus, in a world where everyone is always available, it's actually a relief to be unreachable for a scant few hours inflight.