(Yicai Global) Jan. 18 -- Passengers of China Eastern Airlines Corp. can use their smartphones, laptop computers and tablets when planes are in flight starting from today. But they cannot use them to make phone calls.

Customers are permitted to use mobile phones, certain sizes of laptops, and small portable electronic devices, including tablets, e-books, media players and video game consoles, the Shanghai-based carrier said yesterday.

Devices must be set to flight mode. Phones without flight mode cannot be used in the air, and large devices such as laptops and tablets can only be used while the plane is cruising and not when it is taxiing, taking off, making its descent or landing.

Other airlines are expected to join China Eastern in allowing the in-flight use of electronic devices. Spring Airlines Co. said the budget carrier plans to do so in the first half of this year.

China Eastern flight crews have the right to request passengers to shut down their PEDs under special circumstances, such as when visibility is low or when the crew suspect the devices have caused electronic interference. Passengers will need to follow any instruction to stop using devices and stow them safely.