From gate to gate, travelers in Europe will now be able to use personal electronics at anytime. The European Aviation Safety Agency approved new measures this month that will allow passengers to use “tablets, smartphones, e-readers, and other devices” during all stages of flight, according to a report in The Verge.
However, the new decree doesn’t give passengers free range to chat on their cellphones for the flight’s duration — not just yet anyways. According to the guidelines, all personal electronic devices must be switched to “airplane mode.” Regulators are reportedly looking to clear the way for the use of mobile phones on commercial flights for calling purposes soon.