While most travelers tend to agree on the value of cheap traveloptions, such as cheapairplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, discounttravel deals, and cheap vacation packages,there is wide disagreement over the desirability of allowing airlinespassengers to use their cell phone to make and receive calls in the air.
Some passengers never want to be out of touch and view theuse of electronic devices while in the air as highly desirable. Others do not want fellow passengersdistracting them while flying by talking on their cell phones.
Recently this has become a much hotter topic as a result ofthe Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently announcing that it isreconsidering its longtime ban on in flight cell phone calls. The FCC has indicated that if its band islifted in will leave it to individual airlines to determine their own policiesregarding the use of electronic devices in the air.
Delta Air Lines has come out saying that its customers andcrews do not want passengers making and receiving cell phone calls while in theair. Delta conducted a survey in 2012that found that the majority of its customers believe that allowing cell phonecalls in the air would distract from their flying experience. Delta flight personnel have repeatedly comeout against cell phone use on flights.
In attempt to reach a middle ground, Delta has said that ifthe FCC overturns its ban on cell phone use in the air, that Delta will allowpassengers to text, email, or use their cell phones in other ways so long asthey are able to do so silently.
JetBlue has received similar customer feedback againstallowing in flight cell phone use. Themajority of JetBlue customers have told the airline that they do not want voiceor video calls on board. JetBlue doesnot allow passengers to use VOIP onboard and has no plans of installingcellular transponders needed to enable cellular calls.
United Airlines position is less definitive in that it acknowledgesthat it continues to evaluate the views of its customers and crew membersconcerning in flight calling. CurrentlyUnited does not intend to support the use of cellphones on its flights.
British Airways is the first European airlines to allow itspassengers to use cell phones and tablet computers while flying. Britains Civil Aviation Authority recentlylifted restrictions that required all electronic devices be turned off duringtakeoffs and landings.
British Airways continues to require its passengers toplace all electronic devices in flight safe mode, which disables texts, voicecalls, and network access during takeoffs and landings.
The European Aviation Safety Agency announced in Decemberthat airlines will be able to make their own assessments going forward as tothe use of electronic devices in the air.
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