SWISS will be permitting the use of portable electronic devices throughout the flight from tomorrow (Thursday May 1, 2014) onwards, provided the device is switched to "airplane" mode. Wireless and Bluetooth functions must continue to be deactivated.

Up until now, passengers on SWISS have only been permitted to use their portable electronic devices (PEDs) in "airplane" mode while their flight is at cruising altitude. But from tomorrow, such devices can be used in "airplane" mode throughout the flight, from takeoff to landing. The PEDs concerned range from tablets to e-readers and mobile phones, including headphones. The sole exceptions to the new regulations are that such devices cannot be used during departures or arrivals in conditions of low visibility, and that the new provisions do not apply to larger folding electronic devices such as laptops or notebooks. These must continue to be switched off completely and carefully stowed away for the taxi, takeoff and landing phases of the flight.

SWISS's new PED provisions are based on last December's modification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) of its guidelines on the use of such devices. A similar modification was issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the course of 2013. SWISS has been making the corresponding revisions to the manuals for its flying personnel, its pre-recorded inflight announcements and its safety-on-board videos over the past few months to ensure that these are all ready for the adoption of the new PED regulations on May 1, 2014. SWISS passengers will also find detailed information on the new provisions in the inflight "SWISS Magazine".

The new provisions relate solely to the use of portable electronic devices on board. They do not permit phone calls to be made or the internet to be used during the flight.

Contributed by SWISS International Air Lines Ltd.