FAA committee recommends extending in-flight device use

A Federal Aviation Administration advisory committee has voted to recommend letting airline passengers use smartphones, tablets, e-readers, and other electronic devices during takeoffs and landings, the Associated Press reports. The recommendation will be sent to the FAA, which has final say on whether the restrictions will be eased. However, it’s notable that downloading data, using the Internet, and talking on the phone would still be prohibited below 10,000 feet under the recommendations. The FAA began seeking public comments on the issue more than a year ago. While the FCC urged the FAA to expand in-flight device use, another report claimed passenger electronics interfere with equipment.