Delta and JetBlue First Airlines to Get Approval for Gate-to-Gate Device Usage

Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways today became the first two airlines to gain FAA approval to allow gate-to-gate use of electronics.

Both airlines were members of the Portable Electronic Devices Aviation Committee, which made recommendations to the FAA, leading to yesterday’s announcement about airlines getting the green light to test their aircraft for the usage of PEDs.

By yesterday afternoon, they had already filed their paperwork with the FAA and tested their aircraft, seemingly getting a leg up on their competitors in part because of their participation on the panel.

A JetBlue spokesperson confirmed to Skift that the new rules are effective immediately on all aircraft. Passengers onboard a 4:30 pm flight from New York’s JFK Airport to Buffalo were the first to be allowed gate-to-gate usage.

Delta announced the news this afternoon on Twitter:

It’s official! The FAA just approved @delta plans for PED customer use – effective immediately. #Below10KFeet

— Delta News Hub (@DeltaNewsHub) November 1, 2013

ALERT: Delta & JetBlue first airlines to get FAA approval to allow gate-to-gate use of electronics, effective immediately. $DAL $JBLU

— CNBC (@CNBC) November 1, 2013

Read more on the FAA’s new rules below:

• FAA Approves In-Flight Electronics Usage if Airlines Pass Tests
• Here Are the Airlines That Will Be First To Allow Relaxed Digital Device Use
• Everything You Need to Know About Using Devices on U.S. Airlines
• Here Are the 28 People You Can Thank For Using Your Digital Device on Flights
• In-Flight Wi-Fi Blackout Still In Place Below 10,000 Feet