European Regulators Permit Personal Electronics During ‘All Phases’ of Flights

Air travel in Europe just got a lot less boring

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Denis Balibouse / Reuters

The aircraft of Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle (L) arrives next to French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius aircraft at Geneva International airport November 8, 2013

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.

[The Verge]