I flew Swiss and was working on my laptop during flight. However, a flight attendant told me that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations prohibit the use of a wireless mouse onboard. This information was neither included in the safety card nor in the safety video. Moreover, it was the first time ever that a flight attendant told me I cannot use a wireless mouse. Thus, I wonder whether she was right. Can you tell? Lars Feltmann

The FAA leaves it to the airlines to determine whether electronic devices can be used onboard any aircraft. They may permit it if devices do not interfere with the navigation or communication system.

We asked a large number of airlines whether they allow the use of a wireless mouse during flight. It seems there is some confusion. Most responding airlines prohibit the use of a wireless mouse during flight. They include Swiss, which may explain the flight attendant’s possible confusion.

There are also airlines that allow the use of a wireless mouse. Some do so unconditionally, like LOT Polish Airlines and Czech Airlines. Other airlines permit it on certain conditions.

American Airlines, for example, refers to a statement on its web site: “Wifi devices may be used on aircraft equipped with our inflight internet service when authorized.”

Singapore Airlines and British Airways permit the use of Bluetooth devices. Like American Airlines, British Airways allows the use of wifi devices if the aircraft provides wifi service itself. Amazingly, SAS Scandinavian Airlines responded by saying “we do not allow the use of a wireless mouse onboard, because of the Bluetooth capability”.

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