---
title: New Government Proposal Would Allow Phone Calls on Flights
description: A new proposal from the U.S. Department of Transportation might allow you to make cell phone calls on U.S. flight routes
authors:
  - name: Kerry Close
    url: https://money.com/author/kerry-close/
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published: '2016-12-08T22:16:12.000Z'
modified: '2024-04-17T04:47:43.000Z'
section: Technology
tags:
  - Airlines
  - Department of Transportation
  - onetime
  - phone calls
word_count: 160
canonical: https://money.com/cell-phone-calls-flights/
type: Article
source: structured-blocks
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![man wearing suit using cell phone on airplane](https://img.money.com/2016/12/gettyimages-95752811.jpg)
*The Transportation Department has proposed allowing in-flight phone calls.*

The U.S. Transportation Department is trying to make airplane mode a thing of the past.

The department proposed new rules on Thursday that could let airlines decide if they want to allow voice calls using onboard WiFi, [the Wall Street *Journal* reported](http://www.wsj.com/articles/transportation-department-proposes-allowing-phone-calls-during-flights-1481233099). However, the agency would want to make carriers and tickets agents clearly let passengers know that there may be mid-air distractions.

Before the proposal would come into effect, Transportation Department officials will look at what's expected to be a large volume of public feedback in opposition to allowing phone calls in the air. The department began asking for public input on allowing mid-flight phone calls more than two years ago, much of which was negative. In that vein, it's also considering a complete ban on phone calls on all U.S. flights.

A final decision is likely years away, and thus will be considered by new Transportation Secretary and likely a new head of the Federal Aviation Administration.

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