The new rule applies to international and domestic passengers flying the two Australian airlines.

 

It will affect tablets, e-readers and small game consoles, as well as smartphones. 

 

Passengers were previously² asked to switch off these types of devices during flights for safety reasons. 

 

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) said it approved applications from both Australian airlines late on Monday.

 

Some airlines in the United States, Europe and New Zealand already allow passengers to keep their phones on during flights.

 

Aircraft are now designed and manufactured so that smartphones and other electronic devices do not interfere³ with with flights.

 

 

The new rule for the Australian airlines means passengers can continue to play games or draft emails on their phones during take off and landing.

 

Larger devices such as laptops, however, will still need to be stowed away during takeoff and landing due to risks of turbulence⁴, said CASA spokesperson Peter Gibson. 

 

"The change does mean that passengers will be allowed to speak on their phones from gate to gate though," Mr Gibson added. 

 

"But at some point crew will ask passengers to put their electronic devices on flight mode, probably before the safety briefing is given."

 

Once a smartphone is in its so-called flight mode, it means passengers can no-longer send text messages or make calls.

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