Qantas and Virgin Australia passengers will be able to use their mobile phones and other devices on flights from Tuesday.
The new rules apply to international and domestic flights, and will allow passengers to use tablets, e-readers, small games consoles and smartphones during take-off and landing.
Neither airline has the technology to allow passengers to make calls or send emails without using expensive satellite technology, but they will now be able to draft emails or play games at all times ‘from gate to gate’, the BBC reported.
The move from Qantas and Virgin Australia follows similar steps from some airlines in the US, Europe and New Zealand, which have already relaxed rules on phones being kept on during flights.
Passengers are still asked to put electronic devices in ‘flight mode’ to block them from sending texts or making calls.