Congress Tries To Ban Airplane Phone Chats, Because Silence Is The New Safety
KEY POINTS
- â˘Last month, Democratic Reps. Greg Stanton and Hillary Scholten and Republican Reps. Rick Crawford and Rob Bresnahan introduced the Quiet Skies Act to ban phone calls on flights.
- â˘Despite a 2018 directive to ban phone calls by the FAA, no deadline had been set and a ban was never enforced until now.
- â˘British Airways and Virgin Atlantic allow calls on Starlink WiFi-equipped flights, creating inconsistent rules flight attendants struggle to enforce.
In an epic battle between sky etiquette and WiFi addiction, congressional heroes Greg Stanton, Hillary Scholten, Rick Crawford, and Rob Bresnahan introduced the Quiet Skies Act last month to outlaw the cringe-worthy spectacle of in-flight phone callsâyes, those shrieking updates from your neighbor 38,000 feet above earth. Despite a 2018 FAA mandate without a deadline (because government procrastination is an art form), airlines like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are auditioning for reality TV by daring to allow calls on Starlink WiFi, the âluxury torture chamberâ of the sky. Former Virgin Atlantic flight attendant Ally Murphy compared the close quarters to social hell where 'loud talking disrupts everyone.' Advocates argue for designated call zones, potentially monetized by airlines who refuse to miss a revenue opportunity, while etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore reminds us that no one flying economy cares about your spreadsheet call. The upshot? Be ready to hush or hold your breath next time you board a plane, because soon, your charming loud talker neighbor might get a legal nudge to zip it or use the phone booth-themed 'sky cell.'
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(1 of 3)Flying just got more like a silent monastery thanks to lawmakers banning in-flight phone calls. Because nothing says 'safety' like outlawing your obnoxious neighborâs screams at 38,000 feet.
Airlines want your money for every tiny annoyance including phone calls now banned by law. Next: charging for breathing air.
The biggest in-flight danger isnât turbulence, itâs Karen on FaceTime sharing her woes in surround sound. Congress finally said no.
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 7/21/2026 | Author: Kelsey Vlamis
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