Qantas, Virgin to allow electronics "from gate to gate"

Qantas and Virgin Australia are waiting for final approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) before allowing passengers to use electronic devices during take-off and landing.

In the very near future, passengers will be able to use any personal electronic device which weighs under 1kg during all phases of the flight, providing they are in flight mode during take-off and landing. Devices over the weight restriction, including laptops. will still need to be stowed away.

The main danger posed by these devices isn’t interference with electronic components in the aircraft, but instead is the risk they pose as projectiles in the event that the plane encounters turbulence.

"CASA has put in place procedures to allow the airlines to let passengers leave their devices turned on from gate to gate," a spokesperson told ZDNet Australia.

CASA has already given the go ahead for these changes, providing that the airlines perform a number of safety checks, including re-training of cabin staff and tests to be sure that electromagnetic interference is properly assessed.

Source: ZDNet

Joseph Hanlon

Editorial Director | X | LinkedIn

Joe Hanlon has been immersed in mobile phones, plans and the internet for over a decade, having written for publications like CNET, Techradar, Gizmodo and Lifehacker. He steers the editorial ship and makes sure that we are always serving up the most useful guides and recommendations. If you ever bump into Joe on the street, don't be afraid to ask for a phone recommendation. It's embarrassing how much he enjoys talking about this stuff. He also loves listening to podcasts, so feel free to email Joe with recommendations.

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