April 30, 2003
Scandinavian Airlines says Ok to use of cell phones with flight-safe mode
Scandinavian Airlines claims to be the first airline to allow the use of some mobile phone functions during flight. In the so-called flight-safe mode, the mobile phone is switched on without sending or receiving signals and won?t therefore affect flight security, per an article in Cellular News.
Mobile phones such as the Sony Ericsson P800 and the Nokia Communicators have this flight-safe mode. Other manufacturers are expected to make it available later this year. With this, the traveler on board a SAS flight can use a mobile phone to update his or her diary, write e-mail and take notes, edit documents, play games, listen to music and even take photos with a built-in camera ? everything except make a phone call.
Interestingly, with regard to how safe or unsafe cell phones are on airplanes, Gizmodo has a couple of entries with some answers. Read Is using a cellphone on an airplane really that dangerous? and On cellphones in airplanes.
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