Calling home from the friendly skies just got cheaper.
Airplane telephone companies are cutting prices for in-flight calls to try to lure non-business travelers as the holiday season begins, USA Today reported in Monday's editions.GTE Airfone, which launched a $15-a-call rate in March, is testing flat-rate pricing for shorter calls, the newspaper said. Under the new pricing plan, a one-minute call costs $5, two-minute call $10, and calls over three minutes go back to the regular $15 rate.
GTE, with phones on United, USAir, Delta, TWA, Midwest Express and Reno airlines, also will offer a holiday calling card, the paper said. For $24.95, card holders have unlimited use of Airfones in December.
In-Flight Phone will introduce in mid-October a flat fee for weekend calls, the paper reported. A two-minute call on Saturday or Sunday will cost $5.99, and calls up to 10 minutes will cost $9.99.