United Airlines Allows Passengers to Use Electronic Devices At All Points on Domestic Flights

United Airlines has joined the list of airlines that are now allowing passengers to use electronic devices during all phases of a flight.

United is now offering its customers electronics-friendly cabins on all domestic mainline flights. after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gave the airline approval. After receiving certification from the FAA, the airline immediately applied the benefit to all customers on domestic flights.

With the new rule, United customers can use lightweight, hand-held electronic devices - such as tablets, e-readers, games and smartphones on airplane mode from gate-to-gate unless a crewmember says otherwise. These devise can be used during takeoff and landing and when the plane is taxiing or below 10,000 feet in the air.

Customers still have to leave larger devices like laptops stored in an overhead bin or in another storage space during takeoff and landing.

"I want to thank the FAA and Administrator Huerta for working with us so quickly to offer this great benefit to our customers," Jim Compton, vice chairman and chief revenue officer at United said in a press release. "Safely expanding the use of portable electronic devices is one of the many ways United is working to deliver a more user-friendly travel experience for our customers."

At this time, the rule only applies to customers flying on flights arriving or departing within the 50 United States. However United is currently working with regional partners to try to extend the service to international flights. The airline expects to allow customers gate-to-gate use of their electronic devices across all United Express flights operating within the 50 United States by the end of the year as well.

Passengers will still be asked to turn off their electronic devices in certain situations, such as low-visibility operations. United advises passengers to pay attention to crew members and follow their requests.

Voice calls on cellphones and VoIP-enabled devices are still prohibited at all points on a flight including taxi, takeoff and landing.