Following the announcement by the Federal Aviation Administration last week approving the use of portable electronic devices (PED) on all phases of flight (see here), United Airlines has become the third carrier, after Jet Blue and Delta, to implement the benefit for its customers.
According to the American carrier, it is now offering “electronics-friendly cabins” on all domestic flights. With the change, United passengers travelling domestically in the US can use their hand-held electronic devices – such as tablets, e-readers, handheld game consoles and smartphones (with airplane mode activated) from gate-to-gate.
Larger devices such as laptops must still be stored securely in an overhead bin or other another approved stowage area during takeoff and landing.
United has also stated that the service is currently only available on mainline flights arriving or departing within the United States. However, the carrier will be working with its regional partners to extend the benefit. It expects to implement the service across all United Express flights operating country-wide by the end of the year.
Regarding the possibility of making the service available on international flights, this could prove tricky as different countries are under the regulatory oversight of their respective aviation authorities, and carriers would therefore require permission from them in order to implement the service.
For more information, visit www.united.com
Clement Huang
