A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress seeks to end in-flight phone conversations, aiming to improve passenger comfort and safety. The proposed "Quiet Skies Act" would compel the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement a long-delayed ban on voice calls during commercial flights.
The legislation is sponsored by Democratic Representatives Greg Stanton and Hillary Scholten, alongside Republican Representatives Rick Crawford and Rob Bresnahan. According to Representative Scholten, disruptive cabin environments pose a safety risk by distracting passengers from crucial announcements. "Back in 2018, Congress passed a law requiring the FAA to ban voice calls on commercial flights, and eight years later, that still hasn’t happened," Scholten stated. "Our bipartisan bill gives the FAA 180 days to finally finish the job and protect passenger safety as well as passenger sanity."
Representative Bresnahan echoed this sentiment, noting the common frustration of being seated next to prolonged phone conversations at cruising altitude. "No one wants to be stuck next to a stranger’s phone call for three hours at thirty thousand feet," he said.
If enacted, the bill would require airlines to enforce the ban within 180 days of its passage. This move comes after the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 mandated a review of voice call regulations on flights, a review that never resulted in a concrete ban. Lawmakers have previously intervened in airline cabin conduct for health and safety reasons, such as prohibiting smoking, vaping, and requiring masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ban is seen by proponents as a safety measure, as loud conversations could impede passengers' ability to hear important instructions from pilots and crew. Many major airlines, including American Airlines, Southwest, and United, already have policies prohibiting in-flight phone calls. However, some carriers like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have begun allowing calls, and in some cases video calls, with the integration of high-speed satellite internet services like Starlink.
Flight attendants have shared anecdotal evidence of the disruption caused by passengers taking calls on flights, with some describing prolonged conversations as a significant annoyance and potential safety concern.