Tag Archives: personal electronic devices

QANTAS’ passengers will be able to use personal electronic devices starting tomorrow

QANTAS Airways (Sydney) today issued this statement:

From tomorrow afternoon QANTAS customers will be able to use their personal electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets and music players in flight mode, for the duration of each flight, providing uninterrupted access to work and entertainment.

QANTAS was approved to revise its personal electronic device policy by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority today following new guidance on the safe use of personal electronic devices inflight.

Advice for customers:

Devices can be used whether passengers are boarding via aerobridge or transiting across tarmac.

Once aircraft doors are closed for departure, devices will need to be in ‘flight mode’.

Customers are required to secure handheld devices by holding them or placing them in a seat pocket during taxi, take-off and landing. Larger items such as laptops will still need to be stowed.

Customers are still required to listen to all inflight safety briefings and comply with cabin crew instructions.

Mobile and smart phones will still not be able to be used to make calls or send texts from the air.

QANTAS plans to lift restrictions on electronic devices across the entire QANTAS Group for regional, domestic and international flights.

QANTAS Link and Jetstar Airways are in the final stages of preparing their submission to CASA for the extended use of personal electronic devices.

The changes to CASA’s ruling on personal electronic devices inflight follows an announcement by the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in October last year that it would allow passengers to leave their electronic devices on through all phases of flight if individual airlines could prove that it did not interfere with the operation of the aircraft.

Experts from airlines, aircraft manufacturers, passenger groups, pilot associations, flight attendants, and mobile services have since been investigating the impact of personal electronic devices inflight.

Until today, devices in Australia were required to remain off until the seatbelt sign turned off, meaning passengers were unable to use them while the aircraft was taxiing to the runway or through much of the climb or descent.

In addition, QANTAS is working towards enabling customers to use their own devices to access 350 hours of on-demand entertainment from gate to gate on selected Domestic and International aircraft. Initially this functionality would encompass Apple devices including iPads and iPhones, followed by laptops and Android devices at a later stage.

Customers would only need to download a Q Streaming app to their device, or connect via their browser to the Q Streaming Inflight Entertainment network to access movies, TV shows and music. Qantas will continue to offer complimentary tablets for customers to access Q Streaming on a number of aircraft types.

The new policy will apply to all QANTAS Domestic and QANTAS International flights from 3:00pm tomorrow (August 26).

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-838 VH-VXS (msn 33725) prepares to taxi from the gate at Denpasar on the island of Bali, Indonesia.

QANTAS Airways:

WestJet gets approval for passenger PEDs during all phases of flight

WestJet (Calgary) yesterday (June 2) announced that guests now have full access to their personal electronic devices (PEDs) during all phases of flight, including taxi-in and out, take-off and landing in non-transmitting or flight mode, starting immediately.

The move follows a recent Transport Canada exemption that enables airlines, once they have met all necessary safety conditions, to provide guests with access to PEDs such as cameras, electronic games and tablet computers. WestJet has completed comprehensive testing to ensure its fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft is proven safe and does not cause interference with navigation or communication systems on the aircraft. Testing is now underway on WestJet Encore’s growing fleet of Bombardier Q400s.

WestJet:

LOT Polish Airlines to allow passengers to use personal electronic devices

LOT Polish Airlines (Warsaw) is allowing passengers to use their personal electronic devices (PED) on board LOT’s aircraft in flight mode beginning on February 17, 2014.

Passengers may keep these devices switched on throughout the journey including take-offs and landings. They may use all the functions on their phones, tablets, MP3 players or cameras, but without the use of the cellular signal (making calls or sending SMSes).

The use of PEDs on board LOT’s aircraft was driven by a decision of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) which stated the use of electronics on board planes does not affect aircraft operations provided the flight mode (non-transmitting mode) is switched on.

LOT Polish Airlines:

Alaska Airlines to allow its passengers to use PEDs starting today

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) passengers on flights today (November 9) can begin enjoying the use of their tablets, book readers, games and other personal electronic devices from gate to gate.

Passengers on Alaska Airlines flights operated by Horizon Air are expected to be able to use their electronic devices during all phases of their flight next week and on flights operated by SkyWest Airlines soon after, pending FAA approval.

Under FAA rules, passengers need to place their electronic devices in airplane mode. Cell phones may not be used for calls and all devices must be turned off in rare cases when instructed by crew members. Laptops and other larger devices must be stowed during takeoff and landing so they do not pose a safety hazard. Customers will be able to connect to Wi-Fi once the aircraft reaches 10,000 feet.

Copyright Photo: Alaska Airlines. Alaska Airlines will start flying its first aircraft with 110-volt and USB power outlets at every seat next month. Most of the fleet will be equipped with power outlets by the end of 2014.

Alaska Airlines:

American to deploy the Boeing 777-300 ER to London Heathrow in February

American’s First Class product on the new Boeing 777-323 ER.

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) has announced Los Angeles – London Heathrow as the next route to feature its new Boeing 777-300 ER.

American’s 777-300 ERs will be configured as three-class aircraft and will include fully lie-flat First and Business Class seats with direct aisle access, Main Cabin Extra, inflight entertainment at every seat, and Wi-Fi capability to keep customers connected while traveling internationally. American previously announced that customers traveling between Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Sao Paulo (GRU) will be the first to experience the newest addition to American’s fleet in December 2012. In February 2013 the aircraft will fly to London Heathrow from both Dallas/Fort Worth and New York JFK.

Below is the schedule for the new 777-300ER LAX-LHR routes that will appear in global distribution systems this week.

Market	Flight	Frequency	Date
Los Angeles (LAX) – London Heathrow (LHR)	AA136/AA137	Daily	June 1, 2013

The three-class cabin configuration in the new 777-300 ERs will provide American with more customer and cargo capacity than any other aircraft in its fleet today. American will be the first airline to use a dramatic archway and ceiling treatment on the 777-300 ER to create a feeling of spaciousness, and customers will be welcomed into the aircraft by unique mood lighting. A walk-up bar in the premium cabin stocked with snacks and refreshments will be a first for any U.S. airline and adds another unique element of luxury to the 777-300 ER. Entertainment options include up to 120 movies, more than 150 TV programs and more than 350 audio selections that will be offered throughout the aircraft. Every seat will feature individual 110-volt AC power outlets and USB jacks for charging personal electronic devices.

American is the first U.S. airline to order and take delivery of the Boeing 777-300 ER. American anticipates taking delivery of 10 Boeing 777-300 ERs beginning in December 2012. The 777-300 ERs will complement American’s fleet by offering additional network flexibility in the future, as well as providing increased efficiency due to better seat mile economics and performance characteristics.

The question still remains, will AA introduce a long-overdue brand refresh with the first stretched Triple Seven?

American Airlines: