Ryanair, the budget Euro airline has announced that it will begin allowing cell phones inflight in 2008. Several surveys have shown that most US passengers, at least, don't ever want cell phones allowed on planes inflight, and many frequent travelers can see why. CEO of Dutch phone company OnAir George Cooper told the UK Guardian that most people want to use their own phones in flight, but "...they just don't want to be next to other people using theirs." A chorus of voices saying, "We've just landed," as soon as allowed after that happens (you can currently use cell phones on most airlines when planes are on the ground) is already standard; now, you'll be listening to folks delivering play-by-play commentary ("I'm on the plane") for the duration of a Ryanair flight. Ryanair tends to be ahead of the curve on trends -- budget European airline BMI is talking (on cell phones, we'll bet) with OnAir about in-flight roaming charges, and Air France already allows silent texting on mobiles in flight.

Potential in-air annoyance-causing factor aside, remember that using a cell phone abroad can be a pricey proposition.

What do you think? Should airlines allow cellphone usage inflight?