Tuesday, November 12, 2013

FAA In

FAA In-Flight Gadget Update: What Airlines Have the Thumbs Up to Keep the Power On

It's been nearly two weeks since the Federal Aviation Administration issued a directive allowing air travelers to use personal electronic devices (PEDs) from gate-to-gate, without the wait for the airplane to reach 10,000 feet. Already there's a photo contest and funny flight attendant story, but the freedom is limited to airlines with FAA approval.


The new directive went into effect on November 1, and airlines have been quick to send in their applications. Before keeping that smartphone/tablet/camera switched on, know if you're even allowed to by checking out which airlines even have the go-ahead from the FAA:


: Go for it on all JetBlue flights.


Delta: FAA approval for Delta mainline domestic flights only. They expect Delta Connection flights to have the thumbs-up by the end of the year.


American: Good for all American mainline flights and American Eagle. If the flight is operated by a regional partner like SkyWest, ExpressJet, Republic or Chautauqua, then it does NOT yet have FAA approval.


United: They're calling it 'offering electronics-friendly cabins.' So far the FAA approval is only for United domestic mainline flights, not yet on United Express.


US Airways: Only for US Airways domestic mainline flights, not yet on US Airways Express.


Alaska Airlines: Only for Alaska Airlines mainline flights. Approval for flights operated by Horizon Air and SkyWest is expected next week at the earliest, end of year at the latest.


[Photo: JetBlue]


No comments:

Post a Comment