Originally Posted by angatol
However, if it's provided to you onboard, then it is intended for you. So I don't think that is a restriction.
Originally Posted by
Heathrow Tower
angatol
Transmissions from aircraft/vehicles are meant for other aircraft/vehicles and ATC units, and transmissions from ATC are meant for other aircraft/vehicles.
I'm afraid the provisions of the Wireless Telegraphy Act do not extend to passengers on board such aircraft.
Basically what Heathrow Tower says is basically true but UA can (and possibly does by the inclusion of Channel 9) authorise you to listen to their transmissions.
The exact wording in the original act is
48Interception and disclosure of messages
(1)A person commits an offence if, otherwise than under the authority of a designated person—
(a)he uses wireless telegraphy apparatus with intent to obtain information as to the contents, sender or addressee of a message (whether sent by means of wireless telegraphy or not) of which neither he nor a person on whose behalf he is acting is an intended recipient, or
(b)he discloses information as to the contents, sender or addressee of such a message.
(2)A person commits an offence under this section consisting in the disclosure of information only if the information disclosed by him is information that would not have come to his knowledge but for the use of wireless telegraphy apparatus by him or by another person.
But unless they are just putting
their communications between the ATC and the aircraft on Channel 9 then technically they are breaking the law. If they can't separate out their communications from the other ATC transmissions then they shouldn't be allowing it to be switched on whilst in UK airspace.