Canadian Government to Allow Airline Passenger Gadget Use During Takeoff and Landing

Well, here’s an issue I didn’t realize needed fixing. In a press release issued this week, the Canadian government has announced that passengers flying inside of Canada will soon be able to use their electronic gadgets during all phases of a flight. That includes takeoff, landing, and every moment in between. It’s important to note that this does not mean passengers will be allowed to use transmitting functions.

This change, which is made possible through an exemption to the Canadian Aviation Regulations, means that passengers will soon be able to work or play whenever they please on flights in Canada. It strikes the appropriate balance between safety and passenger comfort that Transport Canada and airlines always strive to achieve.

Prior to this change, passengers have had to put their gadgets away until the seat-belt light was turned off after takeoff, and about five or so minutes before the plane’s landing. Allowed gadgets include smartphones and tablets, cameras (we’d assume without a flash), and electronic games (PSP, Nintendo DS, et cetera). Devices with transmitting functions must use airplane mode.

Inside Air Canada’s 787 Dreamliner

Now, that all said, in order for passengers to have this freedom, the airline must adhere to certain safety standards and can confirm that people using such devices during all segments of a flight would not be a distraction to flight safety.

In looking around the Web, it seems that Canadian airlines won’t be the first to have these freedoms. In the US, some airlines have been able to decide on their own whether or not devices should be put away during takeoff and landing, and sometimes, experiences differ even when dealing with the same airline.

Nonetheless, this is an interesting development.