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Some airlines have begun allowing the use of cellular phones and other wireless devices as long as passengers can demonstrate the phone's radio is turned off. SAS was the first, but others have followed since.
Until recently there was no easy or standard way for a user to prove his wireless device was not transmitting. However, in October 2004 the Consumer Electronics Association came out with a standardized "flight mode" indicator and guidelines. The guidelines recommend specific language "transmitter disabled" (or another language's equivalent phrase) as well as a graphic to indicate that all radios are off. The symbol can be displayed on a screen, or marked on a device with an LED indicator next to it.
When any radio is on, there is a "transmitter enabled" graphic that should be used as well, which can be supplemented with standard icons depicting the kind of radio that is active (cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.).
A few manufacturers as well as a number of airlines have declared support for this new standard. Despite kind words from a few US airlines at the launch of the flight mode guidelines last year, none of those airlines have changed their policies to allow the use of cell phones or other wireless devices, even in flight mode. According to a CEA spokesman, a few US airlines, including United, are close to completing a revision of their PED policy.
Manufacturer support for the new standard is less clear. Many manufacturers have come out in favor of a standardized graphic and language, but none have revealed a timeline for implementing them in handsets and other devices.
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