BA will become the first European airline to relax the mobile rule to align with carriers from other countries.
BA to relax restrictions on use of mobile devices
Passengers on British Airways flights will be allowed to turn on their mobile phones and other electronic devices just after landing.
Once an aircraft has got off the runway people can power up their phones, rather than having to wait until it has stopped.
The move from July 1 comes as the Civil Aviation Authority said it was satisfied there were no safety implications.
BA will become the first European airline to relax the mobile rule to align with carriers from other countries.
Passengers have generally been forbidden from using electronic devices on aircraft due to fears of interference, especially when taking off and landing.
BA’s new rules will allow mobiles to be switched on and used as soon as the aircraft is off the runway.
The airline’s flight training manager Ian Pringle told the BBC: “Customers will no longer have the frustration of having to wait until their plane has arrived at the terminal building before being able to use their mobile phones and other handheld electronic devices.
“Now they’ll have that extra time to phone ahead for that important business meeting, check their emails, or make sure someone is there to meet them at the airport.”
But restrictions during take-off remain unchanged, with devices still having to be switched off until the aircraft reaches 10,000ft.
The change will apply to BA flights landing anywhere in the world and comes in response to feedback from customers, the airline said.
