Alaska Airlines customers can now use their personal cell phones as soon as their flight has landed and begins taxiing to the gate.
Previously, customers could only use cell phones onboard an aircraft once it had arrived at the gate.
The policy was eased after extensive testing confirmed that cell phone use did not interfere with aircraft electrical systems upon landing or while the aircraft taxied to the gate.
Effectively immediately, flight attendants will remind customers of the change in policy prior to final decent.
The policy change applies to all arriving Alaska flights. However, customers are reminded that the Federal Communications Commission still forbids the use of cell phones during flight.
Alaska Airlines is the nation`s ninth largest carrier and was named 2003 Technology Leader of the Year by Air Transport World magazine. Alaska and its regional partner, Horizon Air, together serve 85 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

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