You can't make phone calls in flight, but new rule hints at a change

New York

OVER time, airline passengers have been deprived of comfortable seats, passable food, space for some carry-on luggage, leg room, head room, arm room and any other amenities that may separate humans from cattle.

But the US Transportation Department appears to be drawing a line in the aisle at one creature comfort: the ability to travel free from listening to other people's phone calls.

On Thursday, the department proposed a rule that would require airlines to tell passengers before they buy tickets that they may be "unwillingly exposed" to mobile voice calls while in the air.

Actual cellular calls are prohibited in the air - for now, at least - by the Federal Communications…