A British Airways airplane comes in to land at Heathrow Airport in west London July 30, 2010.
The Federal Aviation Administration will consider a recommendation next week to allow passengers to use smartphones, e-readers, tablets, and other electronics during takeoff and landing, the Associated Press reports.
Currently, passengers must turn off electronic devices when the plane is flying lower 10,000 feet, but a 28-member advisory committee voted to recommend the change Thursday. The FAA will receive and consider the recommendation Monday.
Although devices would have to be turned on airplane mode — prohibiting texting, calling, and browsing the Internet — passengers would be able read, watch preloaded movies, and listen to music.