On a BMI flight yesterday, they informed us that the iphone could no longer be used on the plane even in airplane mode becase of a CAA ruling. Is this true?

Question

On a BMI flight yesterday, the 4th jan 2012,they informed us that the iphone could no longer be used on the plane even in  airplane mode becase of a CAA ruling. Is this true? I t lead to a boring flight without my podcasts.

Answer 1

See these links to the Civil Aviation Authority site
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=1770&pagetype=90&pageid=9852
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=1770&pagetype=90&pageid=9853
I believe airlines can interpret as they see fit.See underlined comment below!
So Whilst BA might alllow bmi may not !
Classic British fudge !
Extracts :
General Policy: Use of non-Transmitting PEDs
Whilst the use of all PEDs is prohibited during the taxi, take-off and landing phases of flight, (when the passenger seat belt sign is on), use of PEDs that only produce spurious emissions are often permitted during the cruise phase of flight. However, the aircraft crew may require PED use to be suspended at any time, and such a request must be obeyed. Such a case might be if the crew suspects that the PED use is the cause of interference with aircraft systems.
Examples of PEDs that might be permitted to be used during the cruise phase of flight includes:
laptop computers, PDAs and MP3 players (as long as they do not include wireless transmitting functions); and
electronic games, DVD players, CD players, cassette players, video or "still" cameras and calculators.
The use of some mobile phones or PDAs is also permitted by some airlines as long as they are used in the "flight safe" mode only, and this mode is enabled before the PED is turned off before the start of the flight, so that it is already within the “flight safe” mode when it is turned back on in the permitted phase of flight.The restriction on the use of PEDs applies to devices carried onboard by the passenger or provided to the passenger by the crew. It does not apply to time measuring equipment (watches etc.) or implanted medical devices (pacemakers etc.). Any medical devices that include a monitoring feature that includes a transmitting function to a medical centre should have this transmitting feature switched off during the flight – see general policy on use of transmitting PEDs.
General Policy: Use of Transmitting PEDs
The use of PEDs that intentionally transmit for the purposes of data transfer or vocal communication is generally prohibited for the duration of the flight. This is due to the level of EM Radiation generated during the communication process being greater than that caused by the PEDs' spurious emissions, which are normally tolerated.Examples of intentionally transmitting PEDs that are generally prohibited are:
mobile phones, personal computer equipment with wireless wide, local or personal area network (WWAN, WLAN or WPAN) devices, radio transmitters and remote control equipment (which may include some toys).
Some airlines may accept the use of low power devices conforming to the Bluetooth standard during the cruise phase of flight. The transmissions of these have been shown to be no greater than the host PED's spurious emissions.
Some aircraft are equipped with WiFi type Wireless Local Area Networks. In such cases, compatible devices may be used during the cruise phase of flight. Use is not permitted on aircraft not equipped with this feature.
Some aircraft are now equipped to enable mobile phones to be used. Details can be found in the section on Mobile phones. On all aircraft not equipped with these systems, use of mobile phones is prohibited for the entire duration of the flight.