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A US court has rejected a call by the country’s largest flight attendants union to prevent passengers from using mobile phones and other devices during take off and landing.
The union claimed the devices can distract passengers from safety announcements and become dangerous projectiles.
The union also argued that in letting passengers keep the devices on, the Federal Aviation Administration changed an agency regulation without steps required by law.
But judges hearing the case suggested they will not be prying portable electronics out of passengers’ hands, The Guardian reported
“Airlines have always had discretion on how to handle this,” Judge Harry T Edwards told a lawyer for the union, the 60,000-member Association of Flight Attendants.
The FAA announced late last year that it was changing guidance that had for years resulted in passengers stowing cellphones, tablets, and music and video players during takeoffs and landings.
Under new guidance, airlines can let passengers use their devices during those times as long as the aircraft is properly protected from electronic interference and airlines get the FAA’s approval. Cellphones still must be in airplane mode when in use.
The FAA has cleared 31 airlines to let passengers use small electronic devices on take offs and landings.
The court will issue a written ruling at a later date.