American Airlines allows expanded use of electronic devices

American Airlines became the latest carrier to get federal clearance to lift restrictions on the use of portable electronic devices during takeoffs and landings.

The Forth Worth-based airline will begin Monday afternoon to allow passengers to use electronic readers, tablets, music players and other portable gadgets while their planes are below 10,000 feet, as long as they are switched to “airplane mode.”

The change comes only a few days after the Federal Aviation Administration announced plans to lift the restrictions as long as airlines can prove it will cause no ill effect on their navigation and communications systems.

Last week, Delta Airlines and JetBlue Airways announced that they had already submitted and received approval from the FAA to lift the restrictions.

“We’re delighted that our customers are now able to use their hand-held portable electronic devices gate to gate,” said Jon Snook, American’s senior vice president for customer service. “We know that our customers have wanted additional access to their personal devices on their flights, and we’ve been working with the FAA for some time to make this a reality.”

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