Last week, the FAA rescinded its long-held policy that prevented airline passengers from using tablets when the plane they were on was taking off and landing. At this point, four airlines have moved to allow what people have been asking for for years.
The Federal Aviation Administration was concerned that wireless devices would interfere with the guidance systems of the plane. Under this policy, tablets, laptops, and other mobile devices could be used once a plane reached 10,000 feet but not before. The same held true once the plane was descending to land.
However, after long study the FAA has made a ground-breaking decision that there was no risk, and the government agency announced a change of policy.
A few days ago, Delta and Jet Blue made their own announcements that their passengers would no longer have to stow their tablet
This week, more have on board. In the last few days, United Airlines and American Airlines said that passengers could use tablets, phones, and other mobile devices during all phases of a flight.
This doesn’t mean that people can make phone calls from a plane. The FAA rule against connecting to cell towers is remaining in place, so phones and other cellular-wireless devices will be required to stay in “airplane mode” so their cellular service is disabled.
Still, tablets can be used at all times, and be connect to a plane’s Wi-Fi network.