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You can now use your smartphone on China Eastern flights again!

2018-01-19 Shanghaiist Shanghaiist

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Smartphone addicts, rejoice! It appears that the dark days of not being able to use your beloved mobile devices on domestic flights in China are finally coming to an end with China Eastern being the first Chinese airline to break that bothersome and bizarre barrier.


Back in August 2016, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) proposed handing out a hefty fine of up to 50,000 RMB ($7,500) for 14 types of illegal behavior on planes that “endanger public safety.” While most of these rules were fairly straightforward (no beating flight crew; no opening the emergency exit), also included was a total prohibition on the use of phones or other small electronic devices on planes at any time, even if they are in airplane mode — though for some reason, this rule does not apply to larger devices like laptop, which are free to take advantage of inflight wifi.


The rule was and is widely despised by Chinese passengers and netizens who pointed out that on the vast majority of international flights, passengers were free to use their mobile phones, even during take-off and landing, as long as they were switched to flight mode. But, the CAAC was apparently not convinced that flight mode blocks out all “potentially harmful signals.”



However, the administration finally had a change of heart last September, announcing that it was planning to lift the ban and allow airlines to make their own rules regarding the subject.


But there was a catch. Before they were allowed to start making up their own rules, the airlines first had to complete an evaluation, submit an application, and receive approval.


Apparently, China Eastern was the first Chinese airlines to pass all of these hurdles. On Wednesday, the airline announced on its official Weibo page that passengers were free to use their phones and other electronic devices on planes during all stages of flight — just so long as they are switched to flight mode.


You know what that means? Prepare for a surge in videos of mid-flight brawls and tantrums!




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