In 2013, the Federal Aviation Administration gave the green light for gadgets to remain on during an entire flight, but U.S. airlines still had to prove to the FAA that passengers could safely use their gadgets in Airplane Mode from gate to gate. In 2014, U.S. airlines made their case, and carriers in the U.K. and Europe followed. The new freedom to read a Kindle, use a travel app, or watch videos on takeoff is a victory over boredom.