You can now your device on in Flight Mode during the flight!

[R36snowbound]

Good news......provided the phone stays in flight mode, don't want a loud mouth talker sitting next to me talking on their phone during the flight........

Article: Virgin Australia to allow phones on flights
Date:August 22, 2014 - 8:17PM

Virgin hopes to soon allow passengers to use their own gadgets once on board.


The days of turning off your phone, tablet or e-reader during takeoff and landing are fast coming to an end for Australian air travellers.


The latest guidance from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority on Friday allows airlines to apply for permission for their travellers to enjoy the same in flight electronics privileges already in place in the United States, Europe and New Zealand.


The devices will need to be in "flight mode" throughout the flight. Devices weighing more than 1 kilogram, such as laptops, will still need to be stored for take off and landing.


At present, on short sectors such as Sydney-Canberra, devices can only be turned on for as little as 15 minutes of the flight due to the duration taken up by take-off and landing.


Virgin Australia, which offers in flight entertainment which streams to a passengers tablet or phone via Wi-Fi, has applied for approvals for devices to be used in all phases of flight.


A decision could be reached as early as Monday.


Virgin Australia chief customer officer Mark Hassell said the airline looked forward to delivering the initiative for its guests.


"In-flight entertainment is a key driver of customer satisfaction, and this application marks the next phase of the product evolution," he said.


Qantas Airways has announced plans to put a similar in flight entertainment system in place on its A330 aircraft and some of its 737s.


A Qantas spokeswoman said the airline had also lodged an application with CASA and was working with the regulator on an implementation date.


She noted Qantas passengers on the majority of trans-Tasman routes could already use devices in all phases of flight, provided they were in flight mode, following a change in ruling by the New Zealand regulator in July.


Read more: Virgin Australia to allow phones on flights

 

[ashleyn]

Good news......provided the phone stays in flight mode, don't want a loud mouth talker sitting next to me talking on their phone during the flight........

Article: Virgin Australia to allow phones on flights
Date:August 22, 2014 - 8:17PM

Virgin hopes to soon allow passengers to use their own gadgets once on board.


The days of turning off your phone, tablet or e-reader during takeoff and landing are fast coming to an end for Australian air travellers.


The latest guidance from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority on Friday allows airlines to apply for permission for their travellers to enjoy the same in flight electronics privileges already in place in the United States, Europe and New Zealand.


The devices will need to be in "flight mode" throughout the flight. Devices weighing more than 1 kilogram, such as laptops, will still need to be stored for take off and landing.


At present, on short sectors such as Sydney-Canberra, devices can only be turned on for as little as 15 minutes of the flight due to the duration taken up by take-off and landing.


Virgin Australia, which offers in flight entertainment which streams to a passengers tablet or phone via Wi-Fi, has applied for approvals for devices to be used in all phases of flight.


A decision could be reached as early as Monday.


Virgin Australia chief customer officer Mark Hassell said the airline looked forward to delivering the initiative for its guests.


"In-flight entertainment is a key driver of customer satisfaction, and this application marks the next phase of the product evolution," he said.


Qantas Airways has announced plans to put a similar in flight entertainment system in place on its A330 aircraft and some of its 737s.


A Qantas spokeswoman said the airline had also lodged an application with CASA and was working with the regulator on an implementation date.


She noted Qantas passengers on the majority of trans-Tasman routes could already use devices in all phases of flight, provided they were in flight mode, following a change in ruling by the New Zealand regulator in July.


Read more: Virgin Australia to allow phones on flights

Do you really think today's 'constantly connected' society is going to put their device into flight mode ? Many don't turn off now. It won't be long before planes are like trains and buses with phone free areas, especially short haul flights.

 

[drron]

The fellow over the aisle from me on my VA flight last night was trying to use his phone whilst in a holding pattern over BNE last night.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I wonder what definition of "device" they'll use?

Bluetooth headphones, iPhone, Pink Floyd, terminal to terminal, sheer bliss!

 

[mrpooky]

The fellow over the aisle from me on my VA flight last night was trying to use his phone whilst in a holding pattern over BNE last night.

I see this all the time these days, too. PAX know better than cabin crew about these things, don't you know? :evil:

mrpooky.

 

[pythonisman]

Aaaand CASA have approved it.
Should be allowed immediately, would be nice if the carriers pass this on right away!
No more having to turn my Kindle off, excellent!

Mobile devices get green light for use on Qantas and Virgin flights - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[animusmh12]

Do you really think today's 'constantly connected' society is going to put their device into flight mode ? Many don't turn off now. It won't be long before planes are like trains and buses with phone free areas, especially short haul flights.

They already have sectioned on the trains in Germany that are quiet areas for this reason.

 

[WCFCHobart]

Both flights I took today applied the new rules. Clearly the new scripts for the cabin crew were all ready to go.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Both flights I took today applied the new rules. Clearly the new scripts for the cabin crew were all ready to go.

Last night, the same. It was really nice to be able to sit back and listen to music the whole flight. Makes for a more enjoyable experience. FAs allowed my Bluetooth headphones as well!