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Hawaiian Airlines said Thursday it will begin allowing customers to use their own personal portable electronic devices on “airplane mode” during all phases of domestic flights, from takeoff through landing, and during more phases on international flights.
The move follows a policy change announced Oct. 31 by the Federal Aviation Administration after it determined that airlines can safely expand passenger use of PEDs during all phases of flights. The FAA based its decision on input from a group of experts that included representatives from the airlines, aviation manufacturers, passengers, pilots, flight attendants, and the mobile technology industry. The PED Aviation Rulemaking Committee concluded that most commercial airplanes can tolerate radio interference signals from PEDs.
“We applaud the FAA’s new policy and are excited to allow our customers to use their devices throughout their flight when they travel with us,” Hawaiian President and CEO Mark Dunkerley said. “We’re committed to improving the travel experience for our customers.”
Under previous FAA regulations, travelers were required to turn off and stow all electronic devices during flight when the aircraft is below 10,000 feet. The new policy allows Hawaiian’s customers to use their own personal small electronic devices that include smartphones, tablets, e-readers, music players and other small electronic devices under 2 pounds during all phases of the flight from gate-to-gate, with limited restrictions, unless otherwise instructed by the inflight crew.
For more information on PED usage and restrictions on Hawaiian flights, go to www.HawaiianAirlines.com/News/PED.
