Phone Calls Allowed On Flights In The EU

Say goodbye to “aeroplane mode" and hello to in-flight phone calls.

Turning our phones to “aeroplane mode" when we get ready to take off is second nature for most travellers. But this could soon be a thing of the past thanks to a recent ruling by the European Commission.

The ruling will allow airlines to provide the latest 5G technology on their planes, alongside previous mobile technology, so passengers aboard flights in the European Union (EU) will be able to use their mobile phones to the maximum capacity and features, just like with a ground-based 5G mobile network.

Young woman using mobile phone while traveling by airplane at sunset — 5G will be made available to airlines by 30 June 2023.

Sounds great, doesn’t it? Well, maybe not.

Sure, the convenience of not losing touch with the world when flying sounds appealing, but think about it.

Although most passengers try and follow plane etiquette, like not reclining their seats during meal times or on short-haul flights, there are always a few who really push the boundaries and make the whole flight a chore.

Can you imagine giving these people access to phone calls?

I’m cringing at the thought of trying to sleep or watch a movie and all I can hear is the person in the seat next to me catching up with all their friends and family, or worse yet, taking work calls.

Not to mention the airline staff. It would be incredibly hard for them to do their jobs with 100 people all taking calls simultaneously.

“I said WOULD YOU LIKE THE VEGETARIAN OR MEAT?" is screamed every second row.

Flight attendant serving meal in an airplane — Meal times would be harder for airline staff with passengers taking calls.

For me, I quite enjoy being forced to put my phone away on planes. These days most of us are within arms reach of our phones 99 per cent of the time, so when it turns into a useless, disconnected device I relish it.

Being uncontactable is part of the experience and allows me to unwind and get into holiday mode or prepare myself to come home to routine.

Young woman sitting with phone on the aircraft seat near the window during the flight in the airplane — Taking some time away from your phone is good for you.

Our tips for flying with phones

1. Wear headphones

This goes for taking phone calls, but also if your neighbour is taking phone calls. For the latter, noise-cancelling headphones will save your life and make the flight at least 10 times more manageable than going in raw.

2. Keep the phone calls to a minimum

Just because you can make calls, doesn’t mean you have to. Try to keep the calls for only important stuff and save the catch-up chat for later.

3. Send a text

5G also means you can send in-flight texts, so to keep everyone on the plane happy, have a text convo instead. I, for one, don’t love phone calls at the best of times, so if it can be a text or email, do that.

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4. Have your phone on silent

Oh boy, there’s not much that is more annoying than the constant ringing or text sound coming from a phone on full volume. Maybe after the safety demonstrations, the airline staff can ask passengers to put their phones on silent mode like they do at the cinema.

5. Be respectful

Whether you choose to make calls or not, just be respectful and mindful of your surroundings. If people are sleeping, maybe that’s a sign to put your phone away and watch a movie instead.

Young modern woman sitting in a private jet, listening to music through the headphones and looking through the window — Using noise-cancelling headphones will help reduce the sound of phone chatter.

5G will be available for airlines to use by 30 June 2023. Let us know your thoughts on this new ruling.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Phone calls will soon be allowed on European flights