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WASHINGTON (AP) - Government safety rules are changing to let airline passengers use most electronic devices from gate-to-gate.
The change will let passengers read, work, play games, watch movies and listen to music.
"I am pleased to announce that airlines can safely expand passenger use of portable electronic devices during all phases of flight," said FAA administrator Michael Huerta.
The Federal Aviation Administration says airlines can allow passengers to use the devices during takeoffs and landings on planes that meet certain criteria for protecting aircraft systems from electronic interference.
Most new airliners are expected to meet the criteria, but changes won't happen immediately. Timing will depend upon the airline.
Retired Delta pilot Valerie Walker said the phone restrictions were implemented years ago, when planes with older technology had problems thought to have been linked to electronic signals.
"Because we've had flight controls interfered with in the 1980s, and engines accidentally shut down because their electronic field control units received a signal from somewhere that told them to do that," Walker said.
Connections to the Internet to surf, exchange emails, text or download data will still be prohibited below 10,000 feet. Heavier devices like laptops will have to be stowed. Passengers will be told to switch their smartphones, tablets and other devices to airplane mode.
And cellphone calls will still be prohibited.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
