Delta Says It Won't Allow Cellular or VoIP Calls on Its Flights

While the FCC has taken steps to allow cellphone use on Airplanes, Delta's CEO has sent a company wide memo to all employees saying Delta will not be allowing cellular or VoIP calls on any Delta flights.

However, CEO Richard Anderson did say Delta would quickly work to allow customers to use text, email and other silent data transmission services from "gate to gate," once the ban is officially lifted.

Last week the U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted to seek public comment in consideration of lifting its ban on in-flight cell phone use. Delta will not allow cellular calls or internet-based voice communications onboard Delta or Delta Connection flights.

Our customer research and direct feedback tell us that our frequent flyers believe voice calls in the cabin would be a disruption to the travel experience. In fact, a clear majority of customers who responded to a 2012 survey said they felt the ability to make voice calls onboard would detract from – not enhance – their experience. Delta employees, particularly our in-flight crews, have told us definitively that they are not in favor of voice calls onboard.

Delta has moved quickly when technological and regulatory breakthroughs provide opportunities to make flying better for our customers. That is why we were the first to file our plan with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to allow customers to use portable electronic devices below 10,000 feet. Similarly, if the FCC lifts its ban on cellular use in flight, Delta will move quickly to enable customers to use text, email and other silent data transmission services gate to gate.

Even as technology advances and as regulations are changed, we will not only consider what we can do, but as importantly we will also consider what is right for our customers and our employees. This is yet another example of how we continue to have your back and how we also rely on your professionalism and experience to guide our actions and decisions.

Thanks for all you do every day for our customers, our colleagues and our business.


While the FCC has not made a final decision as to whether it will allow cellphone use during flights, at the end of the day the Department of Transportation (DOT) will have the final word. If the DOT does agree to this change, then airlines still would have the right to enforce their own rules. Just last month, the FAA lifted its ban on use of personal electronic devices like iPads, Kindles and Laptops under 10,000 feet, saying they do not interfere with cockpit instruments.

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