The European Aviation safety Agency (EASA) has ruled that all flights within Europe can now operate electronic devices during all phases of flight. The rules for international flights remain the same at this time.
EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky said “This is a major step in the process of expanding the freedom to use personal electronic devices on-board aircraft without compromise in safety.” The EASA also noted they were exploring ways to “certify the use of mobile phones on-board aircraft to make phone calls”, much like the recent GoGo service we told you about last week.
The EASA still advises flyers use their devices in Airplane Mode but this is a giant leap forward from the previous old rule. I’m tired of having to explain to Air Stewardesses what flight Mode is and that it is “Impossible” for it to interference with the Aeroplanes systems.
This welcome change is believed to take place by the end of November, and should “extend to all phases of flight the possibility to use personal electronic devices (PED) such as tablets, smartphones, e-readers and mp3 players.” It’s also subject to change from airline to airline, so don’t consider its blanket rule. The EASA also notes that larger items, like laptops, will need to be stored during takeoff and landing.
Source
