Flying could soon be a little more tech friendly. Gone are the days of flight attendants politely, or not so politely, reminding airline passengers to turn off all electronic devices for takeoff and landing. Imagine using Wi-Fi on your device during the entire flight. Well, maybe.
Earlier this week, a Federal Aviation Administration advisory committee submitted a report that recommended letting airline passengers use personal electronic devices while planes are on the ground or flying below 10,000 feet, according to reports. The FAA has not released the committee's report or recommendations, and FAA officials have reportedly declined to say when a decision will be made. Companies, industry groups, and lawmakers are urging the FAA to act quickly, and reports suggest the new rules -- if approved -- could be in place by next year.
The FAA already permits the use of personal electronic devices, as well as airline entertainment systems and onboard Wi-Fi, once a flight is above 10,000 feet (meaning pretty much the whole flight except for takeoff and landing). However, airlines first have to demonstrate to the FAA that a particular device does not interfere with a plane's electronic systems.
So, what could this proposed rule change mean for you? Here's a look at what we know so far.
What change is the FAA considering?
The FAA's existing rules require passengers to turn off tablets, smartphones, e-readers, and other personal electronic devices when the cabin door gets closed and leave those devices off until the plane has reached 10,000 feet. The advisory panel has recommended easing those rules, according to reports.
What would I be allowed to do on my electronic devices during takeoff and landing?
Delta passengers can purchase in-flight Wi-Fi via Gogo.
(Credit: Delta)You can keep playing video games, watching movies, listening to music, and reading e-books as your plane takes off and lands. The one catch is that media will need to be on your device before the flight, reported The New York Times, meaning no downloading Arcade Fire's latest single as your airplane lifts off.
Reuters also reported that the panel still recommended that large devices -- such as laptops and DVD players -- be stowed away during takeoff and landing so they don't pose a physical hazard.
What would I not be allowed to do on my device during takeoff and landing?
The advisory committee said restrictions should remain on devices using cellular connections below 10,000 feet, according to reports.
This means you still can't send text messages, check e-mail, or browse the Web using a cellular connection once the cabin doors are closed. Basically anything that would require cellular data -- including updating your Facebook status and playing online games -- is still off limits during a flight.
What about using Wi-Fi on flights?
Here's where things get interesting. According to The Wall Street Journal, the panel did not recommend any restrictions on using onboard Wi-Fi below 10,000 feet.
Paul Misener, Amazon's vice president of global public policy and member of the FAA committee, told the Journal that the panel determined no matter what apps a device is running, or what "wireless-transmission mode" the device is in, that "the vast majority" of aircraft "are going to be just fine" in terms of safety. Misener added that the committee concluded that "gate to gate use" of such devices would also be safe.
This means airline passengers could potentially have Internet access during the entire flight, including during takeoff and landing, but only through the airline's onboard Wi-Fi and not their own cellular service.
Airlines typically turn on access to onboard Wi-Fi once a flight reaches 10,000 feet, but using that Wi-Fi can be expensive and painfully slow. If airlines were to offer expanded Wi-Fi service, even during takeoff and landing, you likely still wouldn't be able to do things like stream videos from Netflix or download iPad games. But if you're excited about posting to Facebook below 10,000 feet, and willing to fork over cash, this rule change could be good news for you.
Devices would still need to be in airplane mode to restrict cellular data, but Wi-Fi can be switched back on independently. Here's our guide to getting the most out of in-flight Wi-Fi that airlines currently offer.
Is gate-to-gate Wi-Fi access something you'd pay for?
(Credit: Delta)No. Since 1991, the use of mobile devices to make voice calls during a flight has been banned by the Federal Communications Commission because of potential interference with ground networks. The FAA panel did not review the use of cell phones for in-flight calls, which are still prohibited. However, the FAA does permit cell phone calls once a plane has landed and is taxiing to the gate.
Don't some airlines allow cell phone calls during flight?
Some international airlines, such as Emirates, do allow passengers to make calls with mobile devices during select flights. But even these carriers must disable the service within 250 miles of the US to meet FCC regulations.
Why did the FAA impose these annoying rules in the first place?
In 1966, the FAA set its first regulations regarding portable electronic devices after it found that portable FM radios caused interference with navigation and communication systems on aircraft.
Since that initial rule, the FAA conducted several studies (PDF) on devices and eventually ruled in the 1990s that "non-transmitting devices" such as tape and CD players posed very little risk of interference. That's when the FAA adopted rules allowing the use of devices "during phases of flight where the impact of interference would be low" -- meaning above 10,000 feet -- but restricted use during "critical phases of flight" -- meaning takeoff and landing. These are the rules that are still in place today.
An FCC regulation prohibits the use of cellular devices while in flight.
When are these changes going to happen?
Reports suggest the new guidelines could go into effect as early as 2014 or could take as long as a year to implement. It's up to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to "review the report and determine next steps," said FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown, according to Reuters.
The panel also recommended that airlines be required to demonstrate that their planes are immune to electromagnetic interference before lifting restrictions, but this isn't a huge issue since many airlines have done so already when installing Wi-Fi, reported the Times.
What devices will be able to stay turned on?
Pretty much all electronic devices -- smartphones, tablets, and laptops -- will be allowed to stay turned on under the new recommendations, but transmitting data will still be restricted. Meaning everything needs to be in airplane mode once the cabin door closes.
Who is recommending these changes?
Set up by the FAA last year, the 28-member panel -- formally called the Portable Electronic Devices Advisory and Rulemaking Committee -- includes members from the mobile industry, aviation manufacturing, as well as pilot and flight attendant groups, airlines, and passenger associations. The committee's objective was to make recommendations and clarify guidance on allowing additional portable electronic device use without compromising safe operation of airplanes.
You can see the full list of members here (PDF).
(Credit: American Airlines)The FAA started its review of policies more than a year ago amid consumer pressure to relax the rules in an increasingly tech-oriented world.
When the committee was first announced in August 2012, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said, "With so many different types of devices available, we recognize that this is an issue of consumer interest." He added, "Safety is our highest priority, and we must set appropriate standards as we help the industry consider when passengers can use the latest technologies safely during a flight."
What does Alec Baldwin think about all this?
Wouldn't we all like to know? The "30 Rock" actor got removed from an American Airlines flight back in December 2011 for refusing to stop playing Words With Friends. Before the flight took off, airline attendants told Baldwin to turn off his device. According to American Airlines, Baldwin refused -- using a few choice words -- and took his phone into the lavatory. After this, the airline decided to remove him from the plane.
Baldwin told his side of the story on Twitter: "Flight attendant on American reamed me out 4 playing WORDS W FRIENDS while we sat at the gate, not moving. #nowonderamericaairisbankrupt." Meanwhile, his spokesperson also told ABC News that Baldwin loves the game so much that he was willing to leave a plane for it. He added that Baldwin had gotten a spot on another American Airlines flight shortly after being taken off the first.
Did we miss anything? Please drop any questions you still have in the comments, and we'll do our best to get an answer and update this FAQ. LINK
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