News
Delta says it won’t allow voice calls in flight
Dec. 19, 2013, Minneapolis, Min. - Delta Air Lines won't allow passengers to make voice calls from its planes.
December 19, 2013 By The Associated Press
Right now, federal rules prohibit voice calls on planes. But the
government is indicating that it might loosen those rules. If that
happens, it could be up to airlines to set their own policies.
On Wednesday, Delta went ahead and said, in effect, hang up and enjoy the view from 40,000 feet.
CEO Richard Anderson told workers in a memo that
the airline will not allow cell calls or internet-based voice
communications on mainline or Delta Connection flights, which are
operated by other airlines under contract for Delta.
"Our customer research and direct
feedback tell us that our frequent flyers believe voice calls in the
cabin would be a disruption to the travel experience," Anderson wrote. A
"clear majority" of customers in a 2012 survey last year said the
ability to make voice calls would make their experience worse, not
better, he wrote.
Anderson also said Delta employees, particularly
flight crews, are against allowing calls during flights. Atlanta-based
Delta is one of the world's biggest airlines.
The Federal Communications
Commission has barred calls. Now the FCC is taking public comments about
the idea of relaxing the ban.
However, the Transportation Department is considering banning calls because, it says, the calls would hurt consumers.
A few weeks ago, the Federal Aviation
Administration lifted its ban on using personal electronic devices such
as iPads and Kindles below 10,000 feet, saying they don't interfere
with cockpit instruments.
