Delta CEO makes it clear: No voice calls on our flights

Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson wants to be clear: His airline will not allow in-flight voice calls even if regulators allow it.

Anderson spelled out Delta's opposition to in-flight calls in a Wednesday memo to employees.

"Last week the U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted to seek public comment in consideration of lifting its ban on in-flight cell phone use," Anderson says in the memo. "Delta will not allow cellular calls or internet-based voice communications onboard Delta or Delta Connection flights."

Anderson says he believes that represents the wishes of most of the carrier's passengers — and its employees.

"Our customer research and direct feedback tell us that our frequent fliers believe voice calls in the cabin would be a disruption to the travel experience," Anderson continues. "In fact, a clear majority of customers who responded to a 2012 survey said they felt the ability to make voice calls onboard would detract from — not enhance — their experience. Delta employees, particularly our in-flight crews, have told us definitively that they are not in favor of voice calls onboard."

Anderson's comments come just a few days after JetBlue refined its stance on a similar matter. PCWorld reports that the airline, which now offers in-flight Wi-Fi on many of its flights, had indicated it would simply "discourage" VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) calls – but not actively "police" such a ban.

But the airline apparently has reconsidered.

"We've heard from many customers and the majority have shared that they do not want voice or video calls allowed onboard," JetBlue said in a Saturday statement quoted by PCWorld. "We currently do not allow customers to use VOIP onboard. Our in-flight team will enforce this as they would enforce any other onboard policy."