The Federal Aviation Administration, after years of study and debate, has decided to allow airlines to let their passengers use electronic devices (things with an on/off switch) during the entire flight (including take-off and landing), except for talking on mobile phones. However, there’s one little hurdle before you can keep the power on: The airlines have to prove their aircraft can tolerate the interference.

Quote via CNN:

Airplane travelers will soon be able to watch videos and play games with their electronic devices throughout their entire flight — and not just above a certain altitude. Passengers can use portable electronic devices such as tablets, laptop computers, e-readers and cell phones in airplane mode throughout the flight — with some circumstantial restrictions.  A ban on using cell phones for voice communication remains in effect. The FAA had long claimed that using electronic devices during takeoff posed a safety issues because radio signals emitted from the devices could interfere with an aircraft’s communications, navigation and other systems. Before an airline switches to the relaxed rules, airlines will have to prove to the FAA that their aircraft can tolerate the interference.

See Full Story: “FAA Allowing Most Electronic Device Use Throughout Flights.”(CNN.com)

(Photo illustration: @smallbusiness)