Mobile phone users looking to stay connected 35,000ft in the air can now do so if they fly Air France following the launch of a trial on one of the company's Airbus 318 aeroplanes.

The service, which like JetBlue's service announced at the beginning of the month will be limited to text messaging and mobile email for the first half of the 6-month trial.

Calls may be made only above 10,000 feet and according to wifinetnews.com who is reporting the story, OnAir, the company behind the technology has said they have arrangements with several cell carriers.

The cost is supposedly “comparable” to international calling, and is estimated to be about US$2.50 per minute.