Can't wait to turn your phone back on after a long flight? Here's some good news.

If you’re the sort of traveller who’s always itching to switch your mobile back on after a long flight, here’s some good news.

Passengers on Qantas and Virgin flights will be able to keep their electronic devices powered on in-flight — from take-off to touchdown.

The new rules apply to all domestic and international flights on the airlines from today.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority approved the rule changes yesterday – on the proviso that the devices stay in “flight mode”.

CASA spokesman Peter Gibson told the ABC that technological advancements had allowed for the changes.

“Aircraft are now designed and built with electromagnetic interference in mind,” he said. “So [passengers] can leave their devices, laptops, smartphones, tablets on from gate to gate.

Fairfax Media reports that devices weighing more than 1 kilogram, such as laptops, will still need to be stored for take off and landing.

Similar rules are already in force in the United States, Europe and New Zealand.

The changes will start at 3:00pm.

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