NEW YORK: Government safety rules are changing to let airline passengers use most electronic devices from gate-to-gate.
According to the reports the change will let passengers read, work, play games, watch movies and listen to music.
The Federal Aviation Administration says airlines can allow passengers to use the devices during takeoffs and landings on planes that meet certain criteria for protecting aircraft systems from electronic interference.
Currently, these devices are banned to use worldwide during air travel especially during takeoffs and landings due to electronic interference in aircraft systems. Passengers only can use these devices while aircraft fly on or above 10,000 feet.
Airlines will have to show the FAA how their airplanes meet the new guidelines and that they’ve updating their flight crew training manuals and rules for stowing devices to reflect the new guidelines. Delta said it was submitting a plan to implement the new policy.
Under the new guidelines, airlines whose planes are properly protected from electronic interference may allow passengers to use the devices during takeoffs, landings and taxiing, the FAA said.
But connecting to the Internet to surf, exchange emails, text or download data will still be prohibited below 10,000 feet, the agency said.
In-flight cellphone calls also will continue to be prohibited. Regulatory authority over phone calls belongs to the Federal Communications Commission, not the FAA.
Pressure has been building on the FAA in recent years to ease restrictions on their use.
