British Airways will relax rules on electronic devices | Airline Biz Blog

British Airways' Airbus 321 in flight. Photo courtesy of British Airways.

British Airways will become the first European airline to let passengers use their smartphones and other electronic devices immediately after landing.

Starting July 1, British Airways passengers will be able to check emails, make phone calls and texts, or switch on other gadgets just after the aircraft has left the runway, rather than waiting until it has stopped at an airport gate, according to an article in Britain?s?Daily Mail.

Worldwide, some airlines have moved toward allowing in-flight cell phone use. U.S. regulators, however, restrict the use of cell phones during flights until a plane reaches 10,000 feet. Most airlines ban passengers from using electronic devices on planes while taxiing, taking off or landing?based on worries that they could interfere with guidance and communications systems.

?Customers will no longer have the frustration of having to wait until their plane has arrived at the terminal building before being able to use their mobile phones and other handheld electronic devices,? Ian Pringle, flight training manager for British Airways, told the Daily Mail.

British Airways said the change is in response to feedback from customers. Its new policy will?not affect restrictions on electronic gadgets during take-off until a plane reaches 10,000 feet.

Here in the United States, Stateside, federal regulators also are looking at whether to ease the rules about using electronic devices on planes during flights. I blogged about it earlier this week.

In the case of British Airways, Britain?s Civil Aviation Authority said it?s satisfied that there are no safety implications.

Source: http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2013/06/british-airways-will-relax-rules-on-electronic-devices.html/

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