In a potential industry changing move, JetBlue Airways has become the first airline to allow the use of personal electronic devices from the departure gate to the arrival gate the company said in a press release.
"I'd like to thank the FAA and especially administrator Michael Huerta for their adoption of the committee's recommendations and for moving very quickly to allow us to make this enhancement available to all JetBlue customers starting today," JetBlue president and chief executive officer Dave Barger said in a statement.
Passengars had to shut off and put away all of their electronic devices at an altitude of 10,000 feet, and while the airplane was heading toward runway for, while it was ascending into the air, and approaching its arrival airport.
JetBlue customers can now operate their smart phones, tablets, games and other smaller electronic devices at all times while the plane is moving the press release reported. The only exception would be if a flight attendant or pilot gives them different instructions.
The airline is requiring passengers, however, put away their laptop computers except when the plane is in the air
"We have worked very closely with the FAA to achieve this new policy, which will be a significant improvement in customers' onboard experience," Robin Hayes, JetBlue chief commercial officer said in a statement. "JetBlue now allows all customers gate-to-gate use of personal electronic devices, which means customers can now use their devices at any time during their time onboard."
JetBlue obtained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for the new guidelines Friday, and put them to use on its 2302 flight from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Buffalo, N.Y. the press release reported. The plane took off at at 4::30 p.m.
The airline transports 30 million passengers annually to 79 total cities in the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America the press release reported.
