A new survey suggests nearly half of U.S. residents would oppose allowing cell phone use aboard flights even if there were no issues with the phones interfering with aircraft communications systems.

According to the Department of Transportation survey, about four out of ten residents who were polled said cell phone use should definitely or probably be permitted.

There appears to be a cell phone generation gap. Among residents aged 65 and older who were surveyed, about 60 percent opposed cell phone use in flight, while less than a third supported it. For people aged 18 to 34, nearly half supported cell phone use in flight, while a little over a third opposed it.

The U.S. government currently bans passengers from making cell phone calls in-flight.

The European Union is moving to allow it.