Delta Says No To In-Flight Cell Phone Calls

(RTTNews) - The federal government may soon be OK with people making in-flight cell phone calls, but Delta Airlines is not. The airline will not allow cellular calls or internet-based voice communications onboard its flights, Delta announced Thursday.

The Federal Communications Commission has been asking airlines for their input on a proposal to lift the government's ban on cell phone calls.

Ultimately, if the FCC adopts new rules, it will be the airlines' decision, in consultation with their customers whether to permit the use of data, text and/or voice services while in flight.

The company says it will allow customers to use text, email or other silent transmissions, but will not permit calls regardless of any changes in policy by the FCC.

Chief executive of Delta Air Lines Richard Anderson says most flyers would consider voice calls in the cabin to 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," he said. "Delta employees, particularly our in-flight crews, have told us definitively that they are not in favor of voice calls onboard."

Southwest Airlines has already announced it has no intention to permit in-flight cell phone use, while United Airlines says it will not lift any ban until it gets more feedback from passengers.