Use of PEDs during takeoff & landing - coming soon to NZ?

[kiwithrottlejockey]

from the New York Daily News....

Electronic devices may finally be cleared for use
in ‘airplane mode’ during takeoff and landing

An FAA advisory panel recommended this week that the use of cell
phones and tablets at low altitudes did not present a safety risk.

By DAVID KNOWLES | 7:22PM - Friday, September 27, 2013


Virgin America passengers use onboard wireless Internet on a flight in 2009. — Photo: Virgin America.

YOU and your PDA’s may finally be cleared for takeoff and landing.

Federal Aviation Administration officials are considering lifting the ban on electronic devices on flights during takeoff and landing, so long as they are not connected to the internet and aren’t being used to place calls.

On Thursday, an FAA advisory panel recommended that airline passengers be allowed to use iPhones, iPads, Kindles and other devices to watch movies, read books, and other non-internet related activities when planes are flying below 10,000 feet.

Current FAA regulations prohibit the use of PDA’s at low altitudes, regardless of what they are being used for.

"You will not be able to play ‘Words With Friends’, you will not be able to shop, you will not be able to surf websites or send email," said Henry Harteveldt, an airline and travel industry analyst with Hudson Crossing who was reacting to word of the recommended change.

"You will be able to read or work on what's stored on the device," he said. "You want to edit that PowerPoint? Great. You want to watch ‘Breaking Bad’ and you have it downloaded to your smartphone or your tablet? You can continue to do that."

Despite current FAA regulations, there appears to have been little evidence to support the theory that using PDA’s during takeoff and landing presented safety risks.

"These devices are not dangerous. Your Kindle isn't dangerous. Your iPad that is on airplane mode is perfectly safe," Sensypt Claire McCaskill, Democrat-Missouri, an outspoken opponent of the ban on electronic device use at low altitudes, said in an interview.

In a letter to the FAA, Delta Airlines said that out of 2.3 million flights over two years, the airline received 27 reports from pilots and maintenance crews of possible device interference, but none of the reports could be verified.

Though the FAA has not made a final decision, but the advisory panel is scheduled to testify publicly on Monday, and device makers are eager to see approval for the long-awaited changes.

"We've been fighting for our customers on this issue for years — testing an airplane packed full of Kindles, working with the FAA and serving as the device manufacturer on this committee," Amazon spokesman Drew Herdener said in a statement. "This is a big win for customers, and frankly, it's about time."

www.nydailynews.com/news/national/pda-set-airport-mode-cleared-takeoff-landing-article-1.1470140

[Dave Homewood]

A huge backward step for aviation. Now we'll have to sit next to idiots yapping away loudly on their mobiles. It's bad enough when they do it on a bus.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Ummmmm....you'd find it a bit hard to yap to someone via a mobile phone that is switched to "airplane mode" because in that mode, all transmitting & receiving functions are disabled.

I guess one could merely PRETEND that one was yapping to somebody....

[machpants]

Considering the number of times that mobile phones have been accidentally taken on FJ trips with no problems, it is about time!

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Oct 1, 2013 11:00:08 GMT 12 machpants said:

Considering the number of times that mobile phones have been accidentally taken on FJ trips with no problems, it is about time!

On at least a couple of occasions, I have flown from Wellington to Auckland with my work mobile phone stashed into my checked luggage (naturally turned off).

When I unpacked the luggage in Auckland, I discovered that the work mobile phone had turned itself on at some point, possibly due to the power button being depressed when the luggage was squeezed (it's soft luggage), possibly by heavier bags being chucked on top in the aircraft hold.

[machpants]

Yeah it is not like the phones etc are putting out the strength of radio waves required to actually effect the aircraft systems. It was mythbusted by Adam and Jamie I think!

[kiwithrottlejockey]

From the Los Angeles Times....

FAA to allow air travelers to go the distance with electronic gadgets

Within weeks, travelers will be able to operate iPads, Kindles and even smartphones
throughout a commercial flight, but calls will still be banned.

By HUGO MARTIN and W. J. Hennigan | 6:29PM PDT - Thursday, October 31, 2013


Guests use wireless devices aboard a a commercial aircraft. — Photo: STR/Getty Images/AFP.

SCORE ONE for the weary air traveler.

Ever-increasing baggage fees, vanishing leg room and invasive security screening measures have made air travel hellish for millions of passengers. Now the government is giving fliers more screen time with their gadgets.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Thursday that it will ease restrictions on the use of portable electronic devices during takeoffs and landings. Within a few weeks, travelers will be able to operate their iPads, Kindles and even smartphones throughout a commercial flight, though phone calls will still be banned.

The agency has given in to the reality that most Americans aren't happy when denied these beloved digital companions, which pose little threat to safety on a plane, industry experts say.

About 90% of airline passengers board a plane packing hand-held devices and laptops, and at least 40% said they would like to use those gadgets throughout the flight, according to a recent survey by the Consumer Electronics Association, a trade group for the electronics industry.

"The FAA had a blinding glimpse of the obvious," said Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst with consulting firm Hudson Crossing. "It's nice for airlines to be able to give something back to their customers."

He estimates the rule change will give passengers an extra 35 to 40 minutes per flight with their devices.

For Ryan Middlekauff, the change in policy couldn't come soon enough.

"When I'm on a plane, I don't want to talk to anyone," said the L.A. mortgage banker. "Just let me plug in and leave me alone."

But the FAA made it clear that cellphone calls from a plane are still forbidden because of concerns that cell signals might interfere with communications systems.

The rule against using hand-held electronic devices on commercial flights has its roots in the early 1960s — an era of transistor radios, rotary phones and record players. At the time, the FAA was worried that signals could meddle with an aircraft's avionics.

The rule, which previously called for passengers to pocket their devices on takeoffs and landings, until an airliner hits 10,000 feet, has been altered and updated over the years. But it wasn't until the recent rise in the popularity of digital technology that the FAA considered lifting the outdated restrictions.

Under the new rule, passengers will be able to use devices that are switched to "airplane mode" and are not emitting a signal.

Not everyone is happy with the change.

Pilots worry that passengers won't shut their devices down during emergencies. The Air Line Pilots Association, the world's largest pilot union that represents nearly 50,000 pilots, said it is concerned about relying on passengers to selectively turn off their devices during times of extremely poor weather.

It "is not a practical solution," the association said in a statement. "We urge passengers to realize the potential seriousness of using a device at a time when any crew member — pilot or flight attendant — has advised them that it is unsafe to do so."

Some flight attendants and travelers predict more delays and frustration caused by fliers who stumble onto planes with their eyes glued to a touch screen.

Dwight Lewis, a retired store display manufacturer from El Segundo, said he already sees passengers ignoring the flight attendants' admonitions to shut down their smartphones. The rule change will only mean more passengers ignoring instructions from flight attendants, he said.

"Since half the people don't follow the rules now, expect more when more devices are allowed," Lewis said. "There are a lot of jerks flying that pay zero attention to what they are told to do."

Still, flight attendants unions say they will work to implement the new rules to ensure passenger safety.

"We're frankly tired of feeling like ‘hall monitors’ when it comes to this issue," said Laura Glading, president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents 16,000 attendants at American Airlines.

Before the changes take effect, the FAA will require airlines to prove that using such devices is safe for their aircraft. Industry officials warn that the policy, once adopted, could vary from airline to airline.

Joe Brancatelli, an online columnist on business travel, said that the announcement could lead to confusion among passengers as each individual airline goes to certify its fleet.

"The announcement isn't a blanket-wide industry thing," he said. "It's airline to airline, so it could get ugly."

The FAA predicted that most airlines will adopt the new policy on electronic devices by the end of the year, but some industry experts say it may take longer. Brancatelli said he wouldn't be surprised if airlines weren't ready by the highly traveled holiday season.

Because no airline wants to be the only carrier to impose unpopular restrictions, Delta, American and JetBlue airlines were quick to announce they will begin adopting the changes.

Under the new policy, heavier devices, such as laptops, must be stowed away during takeoffs and landings in case of any turbulence.

The change in policy comes in response to a 222-page report released in October by a 28-member panel that included representatives from the airline and aviation industries, plus officials from online behemoth Amazon.com and the Consumer Electronics Association.

The panel also recommended that aircraft builders made their jets safe with the use of portable electronic devices. Chicago-based Boeing Company said it will support its airline customers by ensuring that its "airplanes are tolerant to any interference from these devices."

The change comes amid pressure from travel industry leaders who contend that Americans would fly more if air travel weren't such a hassle.

"The travel community is grateful, because what's good for the traveler is good for travel-related businesses and our economy," said Roger Dow, chief executive of the U.S. Travel Association, the trade group for the country's travel industry.

But don't expect the new rules to signal that the FAA is ready to give the green light to cellphone calls on planes.

Although several foreign-based airlines already allow cellphones from 35,000 feet, airlines in the U.S. say they are not pushing for such changes. The reason: Most passengers don't want to endure that loud phone conversation emitting from the passengers in the next seat.

www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-faa-electronics-20131102,0,3088407,full.story

[kiwithrottlejockey]

NZ likely to relax rules around electronic devices on planes

ONE News - TVNZ | 9:25AM - Friday, 01 November 2013

AIR NEW ZEALAND has said it is likely New Zealand will allow passengers to use portable electronic devices on all phases of flights, in due course.

The news comes after the Federal Aviation Administration announced rules around handheld gadgets on US flights would be relaxed.

"Air New Zealand is in the process of considering the processes we would need to implement to accommodate this," the airline said in a statement.

Many US airlines are expected to allow passengers to use their electronic devices in airplane mode, gate-to-gate, by the end of next month.

The FAA said it based its decision on input from a group of experts that included representatives from the airlines, pilots, passengers, aviation manufacturers, flights attendants, and the mobile technology industry.

However, cellphones will still need to be in airplane mode and cannot be used for voice calls.

It is not yet clear when New Zealand authorities might follow these changes.

Passengers in the US will be able to use wi-fi during the flight if the air carrier provides the service. They will also be able to use short-range Bluetooth accessories, like wireless keyboards.

"We believe today's decision honours both our commitment to safety and consumers' increasing desire to use their electronic devices during all phases of their flights," said US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.

The Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) concluded most commercial airplanes can tolerate radio interference signals from portable electronic devices. They recommended the FAA provide airlines with new procedure to asses if their airplanes can tolerate radio interference from devices.

Once it is deemed safe, passengers will be allowed to use handheld, lightweight electronic devices — such as tablets, e-readers, and smartphones at all altitudes.

Passengers are still not allowed to make or receive calls on their cellphone. The issue is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission, but the committee did recommend the current rules be reviewed.

Cellphones differ from most personal electronic devices in that they are designed to send out signals strong enough to be received at great distances.

tvnz.co.nz/world-news/nz-likely-relax-rules-around-electronic-devices-planes-5666421

[corsair67]

Has anyone considered that it might actually be a good idea to stop numpties playing with their devices during the takeoff and landing phase of a flight so that they are actually paying attention during the phase of a flight where incidents/accidents are most likely occur, and where flight crew may require passengers to be able to take in any information that may save their useless lives???

Probably not, eh..........

Obviously in this day and age, listening to some killer tracks by DJ Risti, playing Farmtowm or Candy Crush, looking at pictures of cats doing 'funny' things, reading Facebook and e-mails are much more important.......

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Electronic devices set for in-flight all-clear

A Civil Aviation Authority decision may mean Air NZ and Jetstar will consider
allowing passengers to use electronic devices throughout a flight.

By NICOLE PRYOR and JOSH MARTIN - The Dominion Post | 5:00AM - Saturday, 02 November 2013

AIR NEW ZEALAND and Jetstar will consider allowing passengers to use electronic devices throughout a flight if the Civil Aviation Authority follows its United States counterpart's decision to approve their use.

The US Federal Aviation Administration has issued guidelines saying passengers will be able to use their devices to read, work, play games, watch movies, and listen to music, but not talk on their cellphones.

A few US airlines said they would immediately submit plans to implement the new policy.

Air NZ and Jetstar yesterday both indicated that they would probably allow the use of electronic devices throughout a flight if the CAA granted approval.

A FAA administrator said how fast the change would be implemented would vary by airline.

Airlines would have to show the FAA how their aircraft met the new guidelines and that they had updated their flight-crew training manuals, safety announcements and rules for stowing devices to reflect the changes.

New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it acknowledged the FAA's announcement, and had been monitoring developments with electronic devices for some time.

CAA spokesman Mike Richards said: "The authority is investigating the FAA report to consider its applicability in the New Zealand context."

An Air NZ spokeswoman said: "Air New Zealand is in the process of considering the processes we would need to ‘implement’ to allow the extended use of electronic devices."

A Jetstar spokesman said the budget airline would "take a close look at any changes by CAA in relation to electronic device use in New Zealand."

Fortis Travel managing director Blair Huston said customers often complained about having to turn off their devices at both ends of a flight, seeing it as unnecessary.

"Surely flight mode is enough and using it is obvious. The regulations seem outdated and this has been just arse-covering by the airlines," Mr Huston said.

"Common sense has prevailed."

Since 2000, 11 cases have been reported to the CAA of pilots who have experienced interference with navigational systems, most probably originating from passenger use of electronic devices, he said.

The penalty for using a device on board an aircraft is a fine of up to $2500.

Currently, passengers are required to turn off their smartphones, tablets and other devices once the aircraft's door closes.

They are not supposed to restart them until the plane reaches 10,000 feet and the captain gives the go-ahead.

www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/9353811/Electronic-devices-set-for-in-flight-all-clear

[Dave Homewood]

Nov 1, 2013 23:31:48 GMT 12 corsair67 said:

Has anyone considered that it might actually be a good idea to stop numpties playing with their devices during the takeoff and landing phase of a flight so that they are actually paying attention during the phase of a flight where incidents/accidents are most likely occur, and where flight crew may require passengers to be able to take in any information that may save their useless lives???

Probably not, eh..........

Obviously in this day and age, listening to some killer tracks by DJ Risti, playing Farmtowm or Candy Crush, looking at pictures of cats doing 'funny' things, reading Facebook and e-mails are much more important.......

You make a very valid point. I guess we'll see a bit of Natural Selection in aeroplane crashes of the future?

[lumpy]

I find it interesting that in the last 6 months freight companies have really clamped down on shipping of Lithium batteries by air . They are now having to be shipped esentially as dangerous goods ( which of course costs a lot more ), but they will still carry them . The types of batteries affected by the clamp down include lap top batteries .So they are too dangerous to carry as normal freight , but ok to carry on in the cabin ?

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Carrying laptops into the cabin of airliners has always been okay, so long as you don't use them during takeoff or landing.

The fact that aviation security make you remove your laptop from your bag so they can x-ray it separately before boarding jet flights tends to reinforce that it is okay to carry them onboard.

Although, how one could comfortably use a laptop in the squeezed up rows in modern airliners is beyond my comprehension....particularly when the person in front reclines their seat.

However, I often use a walkman to listen to music while flying around New Zealand, and I also sometimes use a hand-held GPS unit to see exactly where I am.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Nov 2, 2013 13:58:19 GMT 12 lumpy said:

I find it interesting that in the last 6 months freight companies have really clamped down on shipping of Lithium batteries by air. They are now having to be shipped esentially as dangerous goods (which of course costs a lot more), but they will still carry them.

Back when I was into climbing, I often used to travel with a mountaineering pack with ice-climbing tools strapped onto the outside (naturally with covers over the sharp bits). However, that meant that I would always get put through the third-degree as to whether I was carrying a stove and fuel bottles or gas canisters, and whether or not they contained any fuel. I was living in Gisborne at the time, and they usually took me at my word when I was checking in there and I told them that I had completely purged the tank and fuel pipes on my liquid-fuelled stove, as well as venting it and my fuel bottles for several days before travelling, although on one occasion the Captain demanded that the co-pilot check for himself - this was after all the luggage had been loaded (into a Metroliner), so it was a bit of an effort for the First Officer and myself to pull my pack out while standing on the tarmac, then I had to dig down to the bottom of the pack to get the stove and fuel bottles out so he could have a sniff when I removed the caps. I also was usually taken at my word when boarding at Mount Cook Airport to fly home after a climbing trip, although the tank and fuel bottles had usually only had about a day of being vented before I travelled home. I guess they were used to climbers flying out of that place with all of their gear (Mount Cook Airlines' skiplane operation had no problems whatsoever with carrying full fuel-bottles or gas canisters while being flown in to alpine huts in Aoraki-Mount Cook and Westland national parks, so long as you told the skiplane pilot what you were carrying). Queenstown Airport, though, was a completely different story and I always had major hassles there when checking-in to fly home, so that eventually I took to mailing my stove and fuel bottles home. On one occasion while checking in at Queenstown to fly home to Gisborne (via Christchurch and Wellington), I was asked if I had a stove and fuel bottles or gas canisters in my pack, and I truthfully answered "NO!" Then, just as the checking-in formalities were completed, I couldn't resist adding, "I sent them home by AIRMAIL yesterday" and the look on the face of the lady at the check-in counter was priceless! This was way before 9/11 when they started getting anal about cracking jokes about stuff like that at check-in.

[raymond]

Nov 2, 2013 14:26:39 GMT 12 kiwithrottlejockey said:

Carrying laptops into the cabin of airliners has always been okay, so long as you don't use them during takeoff or landing.

The fact that aviation security make you remove your laptop from your bag so they can x-ray it separately before boarding jet flights tends to reinforce that it is okay to carry them onboard.

Although, how one could comfortably use a laptop in the squeezed up rows in modern airliners is beyond my comprehension....particularly when the person in front reclines their seat.

However, I often use a walkman to listen to music while flying around New Zealand, and I also sometimes use a hand-held GPS unit to see exactly where I am.

AV Sec are only looking for explosive devices etc inside the laptop, its up to the airlines to determine if batteries are an issue (I believe that they ask AvSec to inform them if there are hazardous items in yr luggage) plus if your laptop battery starts burning up on your lap its a lot easier to put out than if its in the hold. I often get asked if there are batteries inside my toolbox when I check in if so they have to be unplugged.
Was using a radiation meter on one flight to measure the radiation, hostiee asked me what I was doing and didnt know what to say when I told her..

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Nov 2, 2013 15:31:27 GMT 12 raymond said:

plus if your laptop battery starts burning up on your lap its a lot easier to put out than if its in the hold.

I sometimes fly with TWO laptops with me, with one of them inside my checked luggage.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Well....the thread's title turned out to be correct....use of personal electronic devices during takeoff and landing is coming to New Zealand in 12 days time.

---

Air NZ passengers can now use inflight gadgets

That annoying request to turn off your electronic devices
during takeoff and landing will be no more on Air NZ.

The Dominion Post | 11:23AM - Friday, 04 July 2014

AIR TRAVELLERS can now use phones, e-readers, tablets and MP3 players from gate-to-gate after the Civil Aviation Authority relaxed its rules around handheld portable electronic devices.

Provided electronic devices are in non-transmitting mode, Air New Zealand will from this month allow them to be used for the duration of flights, the airline said today.

Previously customers could not use their devices during the taxi, take-off and landing phases of flight.

Air New Zealand passengers will be some of the first in the Asia Pacific region to be able to use electronic devices in this fashion, the airline said.

From July 16th it will allow the use of devices including tablets, smartphones, e-readers and mp3 players during all phases of flight, provided they are in flight mode.

But not all aircraft would have the option, Air New Zealand said.

Initially it would be be available to customers on domestic and international services operated by Airbus A320 and Boeing 787-9, 777-200 and 777-300 aircraft.

There were plans to include Air New Zealand's regional turbo prop and Boeing 767-300 fleets over time, subject to regulatory approval.

Related news stories:

• Air NZ's new planes allow mobile phones

• Pilots unhappy with inflight gadget use

• What's happening to inflight device use?

• Flight connections: Inflight device usage

www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/business/10232059/Air-NZ-passengers-can-now-use-inflight-gadgets

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Well....I was able to continue listening to my own music right through takeoff, the entire flight, and during the approach and landing today when I flew from Auckland to Wellington, although I did pause the music and remove the headphones during the pre-flight safety briefing out of courtesy to the cabin crew. I see it is still not allowed on Boeing 737 services, though. I guess Air New Zealand probably won't bother getting clearance for passengers using PEDs during takeoff and landing on 737s, due to the short amount of time they have left before the last of them are withdrawn from service.

Anyway, gotta luuurve those winglets on the newer Airbus A320s....

[kiwithrottlejockey]

from The Dominion Post....

Green light for midair phone calls and texts

By OLIVIA WANNAN and Associated Press | 5:00AM - Monday, 29 September 2014

MAKING phonecalls and sending text messages on planes could soon be commonplace after international aviation authorities deemed cellphone “flight mode” unnecessary.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued guidelines over the weekend permitting European airlines to allow passengers to use electronic transmitting devices, such as cellphones and tablets, at all times — including take-off and landing.

A similar change on New Zealand flights would need to be given the green light by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Spokesman Mike Richards said last night it would review any new information coming out of Europe.

But he cautioned that each aviation market was different, and the authority would need to carefully consider any changes within a New Zealand context. “The use of both transmitting and non-transmitting portable electronic devices can present a serious safety risk, particularly for aircraft built to older design specifications.”

To date, no airlines operating in New Zealand had applied for a blanket relaxation of current restrictions, he said.

“If and when we did [receive an application], we would need to be 100 percent satisfied that there was no safety risk to the performance of the aircraft systems before considering any changes.”

European airlines still have the final say on how they will implement the new rules, including which devices can be used at different points during a flight.

Air New Zealand spokeswoman Brigitte Ransom declined to comment on whether the airline saw a rule change happening here.

EASA cautioned that, even within airlines, the devices allowed could depend upon the aircraft type. Airlines will also have to certify that their planes are unaffected by transmission signals before they allow devices to be used, agency spokesman Ilias Maragakis said.

Air New Zealand and Jetstar allow some transmitting devices, including smartphones and tablets, to be used throughout flights on certain aircraft, but insist flight mode is used.

Bans on electronic devices arose because of concern they could cause electronic interference with aircraft systems during landings, the phase of flight when accidents are most likely.

EASA's new guidance applies to any European-based carrier, no matter where the flight originates, so travellers boarding a British Airways flight in Sydney would be subject to the new rules. No European carriers currently operate flights to New Zealand.

John Beckett, executive director of the Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand, said scrapping flight mode was not something that had been discussed at length by airlines operating in this country.

But with moves afoot in Europe, he expected the topic would find its way on to agendas over here.

FLIGHT MODE

A setting available on many mobile phones, smartphones and other electronic devices that suspends transmitting functions.

This generally disables a device's ability to place or receive calls or use text messaging while permitting other functions such as games, built-in cameras, and MP3 music players.

www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/61552232/green-light-for-midair-phone-calls-and-texts

[kiwithrottlejockey]

from the Los Angeles Times....

Flight attendants challenge FAA on electronic devices

By HUGO MARTIN | 3:38PM PDT - Friday, October 10, 2014


A passenger on JetBlue Airways checks his cellphone before he disembarks at Long Beach Airport. A flight attendants union argues that the FAA
violated rule-changing procedures when it allowed passengers to use electronic devices during takeoffs and landings.
— Photo: Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images.

FLIGHT ATTENDANTS battled federal aviation officials in court Friday to keep airline passengers from using electronic devices during takeoffs and landings.

The Association of Flight Attendants asked a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to overturn a ruling the Federal Aviation Administration made last year easing the use of computer tablets and smartphones on planes.

The flight attendants said the FAA violated the rule-making process when it lifted restrictions that prevented passengers from using electronic devices on takeoffs and landings

The FAA changed the rules without taking in public comment, the flight attendants argued. The union also worries that electronic devices can bounce around the cabin during turbulence and injure passengers.

“When an agency proposes a controversial change in a rule that affects public safety, it must be made through the proper rule-making process,” the flight attendants said in a court document.

But the Court of Appeals seemed to be siding with the FAA.

“Airlines have always had discretion on how to handle this,” Judge Harry T. Edwards told a lawyer for the union, according to the Associated Press. A final written ruling is expected to be released later.

Under the new FAA rules, electronic devices must be kept in "airplane mode" during takeoffs and landing. Voice calls are still forbidden on U.S. airlines.

“We are confident in our position that the FAA violated the administrative procedure act in enacting a new national policy that directly conflicts with an existing regulation,” said Amanda Dure, an attorney for the 60,000-member flight attendants union.

The FAA declined to comment on the case.

Related news story:

• Cramped seats and angry passengers lead to diverted flights

www.latimes.com/business/travel/la-fi-flight-attendants-electronic-devices-20141010-story.html