P.M. BRIEFING : Swissair Phones on Hold in the Sky

ZURICH, Switzerland — Switzerland’s national airline Swissair said today it has installed telephones on all aircraft flying routes in Europe.

Passengers can use the phones free of charge to say they will be late arriving if the flight is delayed by more than 30 minutes, Swissair said.

However, passengers were advised to “hold the phone” when they are in the air. Calls can only be made when the plane is on the ground because they could otherwise interfere with electronic instruments, Swissair said.