Cathay Pacific passengers will soon be able to use personal electronic devices for the duration of their flight.
The airline will from September 15 allow the use of handheld devices during taxiing, take-off and landing, as long as 'flight mode' is switched on and the wifi and Bluetooth functions are both disabled.
The first flight to permit passenger personal device use will be CX592 for Osaka, departing Hong Kong at 0755 that day.
The move comes after the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department approved the use of mobile phones, tablets, e-readers and small game consoles during take-off and landing. Laptops will still be required to be switched off and stowed away at these times.
Toby Smith, Cathay Pacific general manager, said: "We welcome the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department's amendment of regulations concerning the use of personal electronic devices during take-off and landing."
Last month, the airline announced it will launch a four-times weekly service to Boston in May 2015 (see here).
Graham Smith