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How voice calls could soon be allowed on flights

The US Department Of Transportation is considering lifting a ban on passengers making in-flight phone calls - but there are fears it will lead to more air rage.

PLANE travel as we know it could be about to change forever.

The US Department Of Transportation is considering lifting a ban on passengers making in-flight phone calls.

The US Department of Transportation is considering lifting the ban on using mobiles while flying
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The US Department of Transportation is considering lifting the ban on using mobiles while flyingCredit: Getty Images

A change in regulations would mean that people could have lengthy conversations with their mum mid-air as you try to snooze in the neighbouring seat.

It would also mean that your boss could get hold of you midway through the in-flight movie marathon.

If the change is approved by the DOT, there would be some rules in place.

Airlines that choose to allow voice calls would be required to inform passengers with ‘'to adequate advance notice,' but they would also have the chance to continue the ban on their flights.

If it is lifted it could mean you end up sitting next to someone making lengthy phone calls while you are trying to relax on your flight
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If it is lifted it could mean you end up sitting next to someone making lengthy phone calls while you are trying to relax on your flightCredit: Getty Images

If the ban is overturned, it would impact flights flying from the UK to the US with all major airlines.

Transportation secretary Anthony Foxx said: ‘The Department of Transportation is proposing to protect airline passengers from being unwillingly exposed to voice calls within the confines of an airplane.’

The department also confirmed that the reasons for continuing a ban would be due to consumer instead of concerns about aviation safety.

It would impact flights from the UK to the US with most major airlines
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It would impact flights from the UK to the US with most major airlinesCredit: Getty Images

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But there are fears it could lead to more air rage.

Discussions about overturning the ban have attracted serious opposition from consumer groups and frequent flyers in the past.

Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, said anything short of a ban on calls is 'reckless'.

She said said: "It threatens aviation security and increases the likelihood of conflict in the skies. It threatens safety for crews and passengers."

Flight attendants have commented previously that they fear the calls could lead to fights between passengers who want to make calls and passengers who don't want to listen to the conversations.

The proposal was last up for discussion in 2014, when 96 per cent of people polled favoured a continued ban on voice calls.

The DOT will open a 60-day comment period to collect views from the general public.

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