The Federal Communications Commission should allow airline passengers to use cellphones on flights for any reason they choose, including voice calls. But we hope airlines step up and choose to not allow that.

The FCC has begun a months-long process to review whether to allow cellphone calls during flights.

The rule was in place because of concerns over wireless bandwidth, not passenger inconvenience. Modern technology has changed, and it indeed is a rule worth reviewing. After all, cellphone calls are allowed during flights in several countries.

The FCC says it’s a technology issue, nothing else, but the U.S. Department of Transportation, which oversees aviation, notes that allowing calls might not be fair to consumers.

We agree.

But it’s not up to the FCC, the U.S. Department of Transportation, or any other government agency to make that decision. Instead, airlines, i.e. private businesses, should meet consumer demand by not allowing calls, as passengers voice their opinions by using their wallets: That is, choosing airlines that don’t allow it.

We commend Delta Airlines, which has one of its major hubs at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport, as the only airline so far to announce it would not allow voice calls, regardless of what the federal government decides. Others should follow suit.

An Associated Press-GfK poll found 48 percent of Americans oppose allowing cellphones to be used for voice calls during flights. Only 19 percent favor it, and another 30 percent are neutral. So speak up, and airlines will be forced to oblige.

If the FCC rule is repealed, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Congress pass a law banning voice calls. However, we can’t help but wonder: What would the First Amendment rulings on that law be? Let the airlines decide instead.