Passengers can now use phones in flight mode on several Chinese airlines
China Eastern and Hainan Airlines are the first to lift the ban
Several Chinese airlines have begun allowing passengers to use mobile phones in flight mode, as they can on many international carriers.
Until Thursday, phones had to be completely switched off during any flight on a Chinese airline. Other portable electronic devices could be used in flight mode, while on planes with Wi-fi, passengers could access the internet using tablets and laptops but not phones.
China Eastern Airlines and Hainan Airlines took the lead in lifting the ban from Thursday after China’s civil aviation authority in September said it would leave it up to carriers to make the call on whether to allow phones to be used on flights. The change also applies to Hainan subsidiary Lucky Air.
Spring Airlines, the country’s largest budget carrier, followed suit on Thursday, announcing that it will allow mobile phones to be used in flight mode from next month.
China’s restrictions on the use of portable electronic devices on flights came with tough penalties – any violation of cabin rules is deemed to be damaging the public order and can result in up to 10 days’ detention.