Flyers don't turn off phones in planes, survey finds

Despite rules requiring US flyers to turn off their phones and other electronic devices, many people leave them on, a survey showed Thursday.

The survey released by the Airline Passenger Experience Association and the Consumer Electronics Association suggests US regulators could ease the ban, which assumes that electronic devices could interfere with navigation equipment.

The survey found 30 percent of passengers accidentally left an electronic device turned on during a flight, even though they are required to turn them off during takeoff and landing.

When asked to turn off the devices, 59 percent said they always turn their devices completely off, 21 percent of passengers said they switch their devices to "airplane mode," and five percent say they sometimes turn their devices completely off.

Of those passengers who accidentally left a portable device turned on in-flight, 61 percent said it was a smartphone.

Last year, the head of the US agency that regulates telecommunications called for an easing of the ban on using mobile phones and other electronic devices on airplanes.

The Federal Aviation Administration has begun a review of the rules.

The Federal Communications Commission studied the question several years ago but found insufficient evidence to support lifting the ban at the time.

© 2013 AFP