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CEA and Airline Industry Celebrate First Anniversary of FAA's Policy Expanding Use of Electronics Products on FlightsARLINGTON, Va. --(Business Wire)-- Today, the Consumer Electronics Association (News - Alert) (CEA)® and airline industry celebrate the first anniversary of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) decision to end restrictive in-flight policies on Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs). In 2013, CEA and other stakeholders served on the FAA's PEDs Aviation Rulemaking Committee, helping pave the way for expanded use of electronics devices during takeoff and landing on commercial flights. "We applaud FAA Administrator Michael Huerta for dismantling the old, archaic in-flight usage rule on electronics devices," said Gary Shapiro (News - Alert), president and CEO of CEA. "We celebrate this accomplishment as it has totally changed the flying experience as witnessed by a quick look around any commercial plane on take-off and landing. Passengers are productive, entertained and less nervous about flying. We look forward to other opportunities to advance policies that encourage innovation and allow consumers to be connected, informed and entertained from gate to gate." "Delta was the first U.S. airline to file a plan with the Federal Aviation Administration to allow customers to use their PEDs below 10,000 feet," said Kirk Thornburg, vice president, corporate quality and compliance at Delta. "The result was an overwhelmingly positive response from airline travelers and Delta customers because of our efforts to make flying better. Similarly, we continue to be an active participant of the FCC's (News - Alert) review process of cellular use in-flight. Delta strives to offer customers the convenience of silent data communications while also respecting their desire for a cabin environment free of voice calls." "JetBlue was the first U.S. airline to receive approval for gate-to-gate PEDs from the Federal Aviation Administration and immediately implemented the new policy on our now famous Flight 2302 from New York's JFK to Buffal, when 100 customers became the first to officially be allowed to use PEDs during all phases of flight. This monumental first allowed us to celebrate another major milestone this year - our one millionth customer-connected device to our high-speed Fly-Fi system, making JetBlue the first airline worldwide to connect one million PEDs to true broadband Ka-based Wi-Fi service. With an average of 40 percent of JetBlue's customers logged on during a flight, this policy has allowed us to create an even more unique and connected experience for our customers," said Chuck Cook, manager fleet programs and technology at JetBlue Airways. "Staying connected, productive and entertained in flight is increasingly important to our customers, and their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive," said Jimmy Samartzis, vice president of customer experience at United. The perceived importance of being able to use consumer electronics on an airplane has increased significantly over the past ten years for both business and personal travel. In a 2003 CEA study, three in ten passengers thought it was important to be able to use PEDs on airplanes for business (31 percent) and for personal reasons (28 percent). By 2013, those percentages rose considerably to 43 percent for business travel and 61 percent for personal travel, according to a study last year by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) and CEA. About CEA: The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the technology trade association representing the $211 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International CES (News - Alert) - The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA's industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org, www.DeclareInnovation.com and through social media: http://www.ce.org/social UPCOMING EVENTS
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