Congresswoman Scholten Introduces the Quiet Skies Act to Finalize Ban on In-Flight Cell Phone Calls

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representatives Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), Rick Crawford (R-AR-01), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA-08) introduced H.R. 9530, the Quiet Skies Act. The bipartisan legislation would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to finalize a ban on in-flight calls on commercial planes within 180 days of enactment.

"The bottom line is simple: a disruptive cabin is a distraction, and distractions put safety at risk," said Congresswoman Scholten. "Back in 2018, Congress passed a law requiring the FAA to ban voice calls on commercial flights, and eight years later, that still hasn't happened. Our bipartisan bill gives the FAA 180 days to finally finish the job and protect passenger safety as well as passenger sanity."

"Millions of Americans are flying to be with family and friends for the Fourth of July. The last thing anyone wants on a stressful travel weekend is to be trapped next to a passenger on a phone call for hours. It's annoying for passengers, and it's a dangerous distraction for flight attendants. Our bill gives the FAA a firm deadline to finish what Congress already directed," said Congressman Stanton.

"As Congress continues our work to make flying as safe as possible, we should also look at ways to make it as enjoyable as possible as well," said Rep. Bresnahan. "No one wants to be stuck next to a stranger's phone call for three hours at thirty thousand feet. Congress told DOT to take care of this back in 2018, and this bill will make sure the job finally gets finished."

"It is vital to the comfort and security of all personnel on board that the cabin is free from distraction. In 2018, my colleagues and I worked to pass common-sense public safety legislation that prohibits the in-flight use of mobile devices for voice communication. After eight years of the FAA failing to implement regulations, it is time for Congress to act again. The Quiet Skies Act gives the FAA a firm but generous 180-day deadline to bring current regulations into compliance," said Congressman Crawford.

"Our members manage travel for millions of employees, and they have been clear with us that the cabin should remain a place to work, rest and think, and not become a group phone booth for dozens of simultaneous private conversations at 35,000 feet," said Suzanne Neufang, CEO of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). "We heard that feedback, brought it to Washington and are grateful to Representatives Scholten, Crawford, Stanton and Bresnahan for turning it into action. Congress directed this ban in 2018 with overwhelming bipartisan support. The Quiet Skies Act simply tells the Department of Transportation to finish the job before a quiet cabin becomes a thing of the past."

This bill reflects Rep. Scholten's ongoing work on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to strengthen aviation safety for travelers and crews across Michigan's Third Congressional District and the country. Rep. Scholten has been a consistent advocate for commonsense aviation safety reforms, including by introducing her bipartisan Fatigued Pilot Protection Act to ensure all commercial pilots operate under the same rest standards.

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