Temporary TSA rules in the wake of attempted detonation of something during Detroit landing mean no electronics during last hour of incoming international flight to the US: The rules in place as of today for flights arriving in the U.S. prohibit anything in your lap, standing up, using the restroom, and any access to your carry-on baggage. Carry-on limits have already been tightened as well, further than the existing tiny ones. The last-hour limits sound similar but more restrictive than the rules when flying into Reagan National in D.C.
These rules don't yet appear to apply during the first part of a flight, but it's typically at least 20 minutes after takeoff until the 10,000-foot limit has been passed, and later when the fasten seatbelt light is turned off.
So far, the rules apply only to arriving international flights, but the New York Times notes, "It was not clear how often the rule would affect domestic flights." Earlier today, it sounded as if some domestic flights would also see this restriction.
For in-flight Internet providers Aircell and Row 44, this could be devastating if the rules cover domestic flights or flights that spend significant time over the US.
For flights up to 3 hours, which I believe are at least half of U.S. domestic mainline (non-regional jet) flights because of the hub system, that leaves precious little time to use any electronics, and makes it unlikely someone will pay the $10 rate for those flights. For longer flights, the $13 rate Aircell levies may be more reasonable, but travelers will now be mentally removing 90 or more minutes from the useful time they have.
If these rules remain in place, I will be curious how quickly Aircell and its partner airlines change pricing, and whether in-fight Internet upgrades to planes continue at the pace they were at.
Connexion by Boeing had a lot of factors against it, but one of the key ones was new rules and a drop in airline revenue following 9/11.
[This post was updated later on Saturday to make clear that it appears only international flights entering the US would have these final-hour restrictions, but it remains up in the air, literally, as to whether those rules will also affect domestic flights.]
Update: My pal Xeni Jardin at BoingBoing had the same idea after flying back from Guatemala yesterday.
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