At 00:16 on January 18, Eastern Airlines flight MU553 took off from Shanghai Pudong, heading to Paris. This flight became the first in Eastern Airlines' history to officially announce that the use of smartphones and other portable devices is allowed throughout the flight. Yesterday, Eastern Airlines and Hainan Airlines announced that passengers on their flights can use mobile phones, tablets, laptops, e-readers, and other portable electronic devices (PEDs); Spring Airlines also stated that starting February 1, all flights will "loosen" the ban on mobile phones, allowing passengers to enable flight mode on their phones throughout the flight. Other airlines are also reportedly accelerating their efforts to allow mobile phone use on board.
Which portable electronic devices are allowed by airlines?
Eastern Airlines and Hainan Airlines have announced that mobile phones, tablets, laptops, e-readers, and other portable electronic devices (PEDs) are allowed.
According to the "Guidelines for the Use of Portable Electronic Devices (PED) on Board" issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), portable electronic devices refer to electronic devices that can be carried with you, powered by electricity, and can be held in hand. For example: laptops, tablets, e-books, mobile phones, video players, and game consoles.
What are the requirements for the allowed electronic devices?
According to relevant regulations, Eastern Airlines specifies that mobile phones (smartphones) with flight mode and portable computers or tablets, e-readers, audio/video players, and game consoles that meet specified dimensions must have their flight mode activated and cellular communication functions turned off.
Civil aviation experts indicate that for safety reasons, activating flight mode and turning off cellular communication functions will become the basic premise for subsequent airlines to allow mobile phone use on board. They noted that most foreign airlines implement this by requiring flight mode to be activated, while a few allow cellular signals and even permit phone calls during low-altitude phases. However, domestic airlines should adopt a gradual exploratory process for safety reasons.
What types of mobile phones and electronic devices are still prohibited?
Eastern Airlines has made it clear that mobile phones and other devices that do not have flight mode are still prohibited from use in the air. Additionally, portable computers, tablets, and other large PEDs that exceed specified dimensions may only be used during the cruising phase of the flight, and their use is prohibited during critical flight phases such as taxiing, takeoff, descent, and landing.
In what special circumstances is use prohibited?
In the following special circumstances, the use of portable electronic devices should be prohibited, except for those recognized as necessary for flight safety, such as EFBs (Electronic Flight Bags): first, during low visibility flight phases (Category II and III approaches and landings and low visibility takeoffs); second, if the aircraft is suspected to be affected by portable electronic devices.
The "Guidelines" state that when onboard navigation and communication devices are interfered with or when crew members encounter emergency instructions, all PEDs (excluding medical electronic devices such as pacemakers and portable oxygen machines) must be disabled. The "Guidelines" emphasize that during the flight, if the captain detects electronic interference and suspects that it originates from portable electronic devices used by passengers, the captain and authorized personnel should request that these portable electronic devices be turned off; in serious cases, the matter should be handed over to ground public security authorities for legal handling after the aircraft lands, and a report should be made to the Civil Aviation Administration afterwards.
After the opening, can mobile phones access the internet in the air?
Eastern Airlines stated that passengers who choose to fly on Eastern Airlines' aircraft equipped with Wi-Fi services can apply for a login password in advance through the app or official website. Passengers can enable their mobile phone's Wi-Fi function to connect to the internet after boarding. Currently, Eastern Airlines has 74 aircraft equipped with in-flight Wi-Fi, covering all international long-haul routes and 166 key domestic business routes. In China, in-flight Wi-Fi is still in the pilot stage, with most in-flight Wi-Fi aircraft coming from Eastern Airlines, but other airlines are accelerating their follow-up efforts.
With the rapid development of mobile internet, the public's demand for the use of portable electronic devices, especially mobile phones, on airplanes is becoming increasingly strong. The ability to surf the internet on mobile phones during flights has become a hot topic in recent years. To enhance customer experience and provide differentiated services, various airlines will successively introduce corresponding policies. It is believed that in the near future, we will experience more convenience during flights! For more information, please call: 400-138-2929.