In-flight phone calls: Let airlines decide, DOT committee says
A Transportation Department committee says airlines should be given the freedom to choose whether to allow in-flight phone calls.
The DOT advisory committee for aviation consumer protection approved a proposal to let airlines decide on mobile-phone use if conditions are ‘safe and secure.’
Even with the proposal, airlines would have to comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety regulations.
Airlines would have to prove in-flight calls would not interfere with aircraft systems.
"We’ll keep the wishes of our customers in mind if the rules governing cell phone use shift from the government to individual airlines," said Matt Miller, American Airlines spokesman.
Previous feedback on the issue is mixed, with many fliers against allowing phone calls during flights.
Trade group Airlines for America has backed the committee’s recommendation.
"We’ve always said it should be up to the airlines to decide what’s best for their employees and customers," said A4A spokeswoman Jean Medina.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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