After the early start by both JetBlue and Delta, three other major US Airlines have joined the party on the Gate-to-Gate use of Personal Electronic Devices
- American Airlines will allow on all mainline flights, with American Eagle flights operated by SkyWest Airlines, ExpressJet Airlines, Republic Airline or Chautauqua Airlines to follow.
- United is allowing devices to be used on mainline flights arriving or departing within the 50 United States may operate portable electronic devices below 10,000 feet. Work is in progress to allow United Express carriers allow this towards the end of the year
- US Airways allows devices to be used on mainline flights, with US Airways Express flights to follow
- Alaska Airlines allow usage of electronic devices on mainline Alaska Airlines flights. Flights operated by Horizon Air to follow from NEXT WEEK and Skywest to follow
Meanwhile, other carriers are considering their position with:
- Virgin America is aiming for November implementation
- Southwest and AirTran will file their request during November for both airlines
- Spirit Airlines (home of wine in a can) is working with the FAA according to CNN
It’s good to remember that these apply to lightweight electronic devices such as E-readers, tablets and smartphones – with flight mode enabled (so no, you can’t talk all the way up in the air and all the way down). Heavier items such as ultrabooks, netbooks and laptops have to be stowed.
In addition, the rules are normally within the United States only – and do not apply to international services.
So, you’re going to have to keep your ear open and listen for announcements to if you can use your devices… or not..