If you get infuriated by twitching smartphone addicts on planes who simply can’t wait to switch on their mobiles after landing, brace yourself.

British Airways announced today that from July 1, it will be the first airline in Europe to allow its passengers to turn on handheld electronic devices as soon as the aircraft leaves the runway.
Until now, passengers have been forced to wait until their plane has come to a complete stop and the doors were opened before they could use their iPads, Kindles, eReaders and mobile phones – though many try their luck beforehand.

But that is all set to change.BA said it has now demonstrated to the Civil Aviation Authority regulator that its customers can safely use their gadgets soon after the aeroplane has touched down.

Passengers will be alerted by an announcement from cabin crew.

The company said the move follows feedback from travellers who can’t wait to check their messages or make that vital call.

However, it is likely to be met with dismay by those passengers who looked on the airline cabin as an oasis of calm, away from the electronic intrusion of phones.

Earlier this year, BA became the first UK airline to allow customers on long-haul services to watch in-flight entertainment from the moment they board the aircraft to the time it arrives at its destination.

The company’s flight training manager, Ian Pringle, said: ‘Customers will no longer have the frustration of having to wait until their plane has arrived at the terminal building before being able to use their mobile phones and other handheld electronic devices.

BA said that the move follows feedback from travellers who can’t wait to check their messages or make that vital call

‘Now they’ll have that extra time to phone ahead for that important business meeting, check their emails, or make sure someone is there to meet them at the airport.’

The changes will apply to every BA flight landing around the world – not just in the UK and Europe.

However BA stressed: ’Customers on departing flights will still need to turn off all their handheld electronic devices when the aircraft leaves the gate, in line with current regulations.’
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