The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration earlier this month gave the OK for airlines to allow their passengers to use devices such as tablets during all phases of commercial flights. Now, US Airways and Alaska Airlines have joined the ever-growing ranks of airlines allowing passengers to use the devices from wheels up to wheels down.
Now it’s just up to each individual airline to change their respective rules, and the good news is most of them seem to be onboard. American Airlines already announced its support, and now US Airways and Alaska Airlines are in…
The press release from US Airways reads – (via iClarified):
“Beginning today US Airways customers can now use certain portable electronic devices (PEDs), including e-books, tablets and smartphones, during taxi, takeoff and landing while in “airplane mode” – a departure from the previous Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restriction on use below 10,000 feet. Customers on US Airways domestic mainline flights will now be permitted to use small PEDs during all phases of flight.”
And a similar announcement from Alaska Airlines reads:
“Passengers on Alaska Airlines flights can begin enjoying the use of their tablets, book readers, games and other personal electronic devices from gate to gate starting Saturday morning. Passengers on Alaska Airlines flights operated by Horizon Air are expected to be able to use their electronic devices during all phases of their flight next week and on flights operated by SkyWest Airlines soon after, pending FAA approval”
There are still some rules passengers must keep in mind. First, cellular devices such as phones and cellular data-enabled tablets must be put into “airplane mode” during flights. Plus, laptops and other devices weighing over 2 pounds must still be stowed during takeoff and landing due to safety concerns.
In addition to American, US Airways, and Alaska Airlines, Delta has also approved the use of devices below 10,000 feet, as has United Airlines, JetBlue, and others.
Be sure to check with your airline for their rules, as more airlines should be “getting onboard” with the new policies very soon.
