I'm a fan of Dubai-based Emirates Airlines. Great food, great entertainment, all-around fantastic service.

Well, until now.

Emirates has become the first commercial airline to allow passengers to make cell phone calls during flights.

I repeat, passengers will now be able to make cell phone calls during flights.

How stupid is that?

It's almost like all of the managers and vice-presidents and Sheikhs in charge of the airline sat around a meeting and said, "how can we totally torpedo our great track record?"

And one guy says, "I was at the movies last night, and the guy behind me had a ten minute conversation on his cell phone."

"Brilliant!"

So now Emirates is running with this plan. In fact, they had to go to "considerable lengths" to ensure that all safety and regulatory issues have been fully addressed. What about when I put my size twelve up some yappy dude's hind-quarters when he won't shut up while I'm trying to sleep?

Have they addressed that?

Didn't think so.

They also, thankfully, retrofitted their Airbus A340s with a system which stops phones from interfering with a plane's electronics. 'Cause that'd be bad.

And yes, BlackBerry and other data services work, too.

Ugh.

I'm sure there won't be any problems with this plan. Good luck, Emirates. And let me know how it all works out. From now on, I'll be flying the "phone-free" airlines.