Delta outlaws in-flight cell phone calls
The Federal Communications Commission might finally be coming around to the idea of cell phone use on flights, but Delta isn’t biting. There’s not going to be any cell phone calls on any Delta flights any time soon—no way, no how.
The Federal Communications Commission might finally be coming around to the idea of cell phone use on flights, but Delta isn't biting. There's not going to be any cell phone calls on any Delta flights any time soon—no way, no how. Or, at least that's what Delta CEO Richard Anderson says.
Starting this past November, FCC officials began releasing studies showing how technically benign cell phone use is on commercial flights, paving the way for relaxed restrictions. What Delta's worried about, though, is a more immersive travel experience.
"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 in a press release. And, indeed, those 2012 numbers to which he refers point to a solid consensus that voice calls "detract from, not enhance" flying. Which, of course, is hard to argue with.
But while the Delta ban extends to other modes of voice communication like Skype, flyers are free to text, email, and game to their heart's content.
Just so long as no one hears about it.