Text, e-mail aboard SIA

Passengers on Singapore Airlines (SIA) flights will now be able to send a text message of up to 160 characters to an e-mail address or a mobile phone on the ground, using their personal in-seat monitor screens and handsets.

The new integrated in-flight communicator, the first of its kind in the world, was developed by Matsushita Avionics System Corp. (MAS), which also developed KrisWorld, SIA’s state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system.

The introduction of in-seat e-mail and the Short Messaging Service (SMS) is in line with SIA’s commitment to provide inflight connectivity to passengers, to enable them to stay in touch.

The new messaging facility, available on all three classes of travel, was launched on the B777-200ER (Extended Range) inaugural flight to Las Vegas last Aug. 2.

This service will be offered free during a three-month promotional period on other selected aircraft as well. It will be introduced progressively on SIA’s Megatop B747 and Jubilee B777 fleet.