Through a new decision made by the European Aviation Safety Agency, or EASA, the doors may be opening up to in-flight phone calls, emails, and streaming video on a flight in Europe in the future. Though EASA had allowed the use of personal electronic devices (PEDs) on flights in airplane mode last year, the new ruling on Friday would allow these devices to remain on whether or not they are placed into a transmission-restrictive airplane mode.
EASA announced on its website:
From the 26 September 2014 EASA has made it possible for airlines to allow passengers to use their PEDs throughout the flight, regardless of whether the device is transmitting or not, i.e. in 'aeroplane mode' or not. Of course, it is up to each airline to allow the use of PEDs or not.
Though the ruling opens up the doors to surfing the web, streaming videos, and potentially even making phone calls in the cabin, the decision to ultimately open this up still rests upon individual airplanes for safety reasons.
This not only opens up devices to the use of WiFi on-board, which is present on a number of flights in the U.S., but also communications over 3G or 4G networks. According to Reuters:
The European Commission has now authorised the use of mobile spectrum for 3G and 4G communications, which allows users to surf the web and send email, when aircraft are flying above 3,000 metres.
In a statement to the Associated Press, this is how the new rules could impact the use of your technology:
We're basically opening the door where, in theory, you'll be able to continue making your phone call through the gate throughout the flight ... like you would on a train.
Source: EASA
Reader comments
European ruling opens up the cabin for in-flight phone calls, Internet access
There goes the few hours of relative peace. ;)
UK is always slow, get WIFI on board already !!
CALLS? NO NO NO NO. A thousand times no. Who thinks that's a good idea? Nobody except a few a-holes. I remember back when planes had pay phones in the back of the seats (before touchscreens, and now increasingly nothing), and you know who used 'em most? a-holes yakking about inane unimportant BS. They got menacing stares from annoyed people back then too.
Texting and data? SURE.
Well said, and I agree completely.
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I hope they do this! I would love to be able to talk on the phone. Who cares who I bother! I will talk really loud too
People argue like "no! my freedom from annoying phone calls!" act like they get on a plane to escape people that are on their phones... Would it be annoying? Certainly. But how is it different from a bus or something? It's not. Find a new way to reach zen or pop your headphones on and ignore it.
Just as people are generally respectable on buses and trains/subways. They'll be respectable on planes as well. There's always ofcourse that one ******* from tune to time. But it's foolish to punish the many for the sins of the few.
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No smoking? Damn
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With trains & busses you are generally not crammed in like sardines for hours & hours & no way to escape. Just say NO to in-flight calls!
Please, please, never allow phone calls in flight....
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Flying is often very boring.
Now some git will be chatting with his GF, watching YouTube and ordering stuff from Amazon 2 feet away. As if stupid brats kicking me in the back for 6 hours was sufficient in flight "fun"! Expect more violence on jets folks. Can we bring automatic weapons as well?
Awesome AC.