The United States Federal Aviation Administration has now banned Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro models with faulty batteries from flights after Apple initiated a voluntary recall and replacement program for the older-generation notebook earlier this summer.
Virgin America, one of my personal favorite airlines, is now allowing its passengers to use their electronic devices during takeoff and landing.
As of today, Virgin America is allowing travelers unrestricted use of most portable electronic devices (PEDs) from “gate-to-gate” on all phases of flights on all of its aircraft within U.S. airspace. Although some carriers have already lifted the restriction of PED use on many aircraft and during certain categories of flight, Virgin America’s fleet of 53 new Airbus A320-family aircraft is the first cleared by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for PED usage during all categories of flight – even during CAT II and CAT III precision approaches and landings.
Unlike most other airlines, Virgina America has also been cleared by the FAA to let its passengers use electronic devices during all categories of flight (yes, that means even in low visibility).
Frontier is now the last major airline not allowing PED usage on its flights. It should only be a matter of time.
Since the FAA started allowing usage of personal electronic devices during all phases of flight last month, most airlines have now embraced the new rule, letting people play Words With Friends from takeoff to landing. Often one step ahead of competitions in terms of services, Southwest Airlines takes this a bit further and now allows passengers to stay connected to Wi-Fi from gate to gate.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration gave airlines the green-light to allow passengers to use devices such as tablets during all phases of flight. So that means no more turning off your iPad during takeoff.
Now it's just up to each individual airline to change their respective rules, and the good news is most of them seem to be onboard. American Airlines already announced its support, and now US Airways and Alaska Airlines are in...
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has finally relaxed its restrictions on the use of personal electronics devices (PED) such as iPhones and iPads on commercial flights. Going forward, the FAA will allow airlines to expand use of personal electronics during nearly all phases of flight, and is immediately providing the airlines with implementation guidance.
Although the FAA has finally determined that smartphones and tablets have a minimal impact on the airplane's electronic systems, pilots of course are barred from using gadgets for personal reasons at any time during aircraft operations.
Good news frequent flyers, you may soon not have to worry about turning off your iPhone or iPad in airplanes anymore. The FAA advisory committee has recommended that electronic device restrictions on commercial aircraft be relaxed.
The special council, which was assigned to explore the effects of in-flight device usage, has met with the Federal Aviation Administration and is urging it to allow passengers to to use tablets and other electronics during takeoff and landing...
Up until now, airlines mostly tapped iPads to either shrink the size of flight bags carried by pilots and other flight crews or relax restriction on how passengers can use tablets. Tuesday, aircraft maker Boeing announced a suite of iPad apps designed to help maintenance crews find, fix and get airplanes back in service with the least delays. Yes, there are now iPad apps to service those huge jumbo jets.
How cool is that?
American Airlines is now using Apple's iPad in all its flights, the tablet replacing millions of pages and pounds of documents pilots previously had to carry into the cockpit. In a Monday announcement, the airline said switching to the tablet will save the company more than $1 million in fuel costs every year.
American pilots flying the Boeing 777, 767, 757, 737 as well as the MD-80 will use the iPads equipped with the Jeppesen Mobile Terminal Chart app for controlling gate-to-gate flight controls. The announcement follows American becoming in 2012 the first airline to receive FAA approval for tablets in the cockpit...
Good news air travelers, you may soon have to quit pretending to turn your iPads and other electronics devices off before takeoff. According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, the FAA is expected to relax the ban on using some types of personal electronic devices at low altitudes.
Devices like iPads, e-readers and other tablets may see the rules relaxed to the point where they are usable throughout your entire flight—from takeoff to landing. However, cell phones, and more specifically cell phone calls, are expected to remain off limits due to the scope of the changes...
If you thought the question over in-flight electronics was settled, think again. Although the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to announce in July whether to relax current rules governing in-flight use of iPhones, iPads and other devices, questions remain about their safety.
Wednesday, Bloomberg recounted testimony from pilots and others calling into question whether some devices - particularly those using cellular connections - may interfere with newer GPS-based navigation. In one instance, pilots believe an iPhone caused their airliner to fly miles off course...
Lugging around all the charts and papers required by commercial pilots can be a pain - literally. Now comes word Apple's iPad is taking a load off pilots of one airline, replacing 40-pound flight bags with a 1.5-pound tablet. By the end of May, 8,600 American Airlines pilots will swap the heavy bags of charts, maps and manuals for the iPad, easing one of the industry's largest sources of injuries...
It took some arm-twisting and a bit of public mockery, but it appears the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is preparing to allow flying consumers to use some electronics on planes.
However, it may take longer for your iPhone to gain acceptance. The rule-change allowing use of electronic devices such as the iPad or Kindle during takeoffs and landings is expected to be announced by the end of this year.
In July, an industry group which hard worked with the FAA on guidelines for electronic devices, is expected to unveil its findings, according to a weekend report...