According the China Civil Aviation website, the use of mobile phones in ‘flight mode’ is now allowed on some of the flights flown by Chinese airlines. The policy went into effect on January 18. Passengers can even use Wi-Fi.

China’s Civil Aviation Administration issued its guidelines for the evaluation of the use of portable electronic devices (PED) in flight January 16, and Chinese airlines responded. Beginning January 18, passengers boarding China Eastern Airlines are allowed to use smart phones in flight mode, as well as portable computers, tablets, electronic books, audio and video players, electronic gaming machines and other small PED devices of a certain size. Passengers will be required to turn their mobile devices to flight mode and turn off cellular communications. Hainan Airlines and China Southern Airlines also lifted restrictions beginning January 18 and 19, respectively.

However, this does not mean there are no restrictions on the use of the mobile phones while aboard planes. The use of mobile phones and other devices that do not have flight mode are still prohibited. Portable computers and tablets that exceed the required size can only be used during the cruising period of a given flight and are still prohibited during taxi, take-off and landing.

For considerations of cabin safety, these devices are not allowed to connect headphones, charging lines and other accessories during these critical phases. Hearing aids, cardiac pacemakers, and other electronic devices that will not affect aircraft navigation and communication systems can be used throughout the flight.