US Lawmakers Urge Department of Transportation to Enforce 2018 Inflight Call Ban
Despite a 2018 Congressional ban on voice communications during US commercial flights, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has yet to finalise enforcement regulations. A new bipartisan bill, the Quiet Skies Act, seeks to compel the DOT to act, even as improved inflight Wi-Fi makes such calls more practical.
Congressional Mandate Unenforced Since 2018
In 2018, the United States Congress enacted 49 U.S.C. §41725, a law prohibiting passengers from engaging in voice communications using mobile devices on scheduled commercial flights. This ban applies from take-off through landing, with exceptions for crew, federal law enforcement officers, and phones permanently installed on the aircraft. However, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has not yet issued the necessary regulations to implement and enforce this prohibition, according to a July 22, 2026 report from View from the Wing.
New Legislation Seeks DOT Action Amid Connectivity Advances
A bipartisan bill, the Quiet Skies Act, has been introduced to mandate the DOT issue these enforcement regulations within 180 days of its passage. This legislative push comes as inflight connectivity, notably through services like Starlink, significantly improves call quality, potentially increasing passenger inclination to make calls. British Airways, for instance, is linking its Starlink rollout with allowing inflight calls. Conversely, most US airlines already maintain their own policies against inflight calling, with some even blocking such services at a server level.
Defining 'Voice Communications' and Enforcement Challenges
The 2018 law broadly defines 'voice communications' using a 'mobile communications device' as portable wireless equipment transmitting or receiving voice data, not limited to cellular networks. This definition suggests the ban could extend beyond traditional phone calls, potentially encompassing even listening to video conferencing calls on mute, though the final regulation would clarify this. Arguments for the ban cite potential intrusiveness, distraction from safety announcements, and a desire to spare flight attendants from subjective judgments. However, critics note a lack of evidence linking inflight calls to safety incidents, pointing to their allowance on numerous international carriers without issues.
Outlook for Travellers and Industry
The Quiet Skies Act, sponsored by Representatives Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), has been referred to committee and has not advanced further. For travellers, the immediate impact remains limited, as US airlines largely continue to prohibit inflight voice calls under their own rules. Should the bill progress and the DOT act, a federal mandate would standardise a ban across all US carriers. The industry will watch for any movement on this legislation, as it could cement a uniform policy on passenger communication behaviour during flights.
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