The UK CAA has confirmed that passengers may soon be able to use portable electronic devices such as such as tablets, smartphones and e-readers during taxi, take-off and landing.

Following the decision taken by the US FAA in October 2013 to permit the use of passenger electronic devices during all flight phases, EASA published a decision and guidance for operators on the safe use of such devices.

European airlines now have discretion on whether to change their policies prohibiting the use of such devices.  Any change must be approved by the carrier’s national regulator.

These long-awaited changes are good news for passengers, though electronic devices will still be subject to flight crew approval on each flight, and devices transmitting electro-magnetic signals (mobile phones for voice calls/texts) and WiFi enabled laptops computers remain prohibited in flight unless the aircraft has been equipped with a controlling system.

EASA Decision and Guidance: http://www.easa.eu.int/personal-electronic-devices.php