The chief executive of Delta Air Lines, Richard Anderson, told his employees Wednesday that the airline won't allow cellular or Internet-based calls, regardless of any changes in policy by the Federal Communications Commission. United Airlines gave CNBC a statement less final, saying the company is "evaluating the views of our customers and crew members on in-flight calling, and at this time we don't intend to permit use of cellphones." However, should the FCC overturn the ban, Delta said it will compromise by allowing passengers to text, email, or use their phones in other ways. "In fact, a clear majority of customers who responded to a 2012 survey said they felt the ability to make voice calls onboard would detract from -- not enhance -- their experience," he said. "Delta employees, particularly our in-flight crews, have told us definitively that they are not in favor of voice calls on-board."
– The feds might soon lift rules that forbid plane passengers from talking on their cell phones during flights, but the airlines themselves are balking. Delta announced today that it won't allow such calls no matter what the FCC decides, reports the LA Times. The airline joins Southwest and JetBlue in the move, while American and United have yet to make a decision. Passengers in the no-call airlines will likely be able to text or otherwise use their phones, as long as it's not to yak, reports CNBC. Generally speaking, surveys of air passengers and flight attendants find that most hate the idea of allowing the calls. One critic even suggests a fee of $100 a minute to keep them short.