The use of any radio receiver onboard the planes I've been on has been expressly forbidden, per FAA 1-21.1B and related to Section 91.21, 121.306, 125.204, and 135.144

See: http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_91.21-1B.pdf


Here's what I could find in terms of airline policies, I only had a few moments to look it up:


Delta Airlines
Policy is only listed devices are permitted.

http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/s...ic-devices.html

You may use the following devices from gate to gate on Delta and Delta Connection flights:
• AM/FM or satellite radios
• digital and video cameras
• calculators
• Delta-installed equipment such as in-flight entertainment systems
• DVD players*
• e-readers
• electric shavers
• electronic/digital watches
• global positioning system (GPS) receivers
• handheld computer games
• headphones
• laptop computers*
• medical devices**
• noise reduction headphones
• portable media players*
• pagers
• smartphones and any device with cellular network service must be turned off or in airplane mode
• tablets and wireless keyboards or mouse

Jet Blue
http://help.jetblue.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/webisapi.dll?New,Kb=askBlue,case=obj(2218)#s4

The following items may not be used in the aircraft at any time:
Any device the crew believes to be causing interference
Gas hair curlers
Radio transmitters (ham, CB, etc.)
Radios: AM, FM, VHF (battery or cord operated)
Remote controlled toys
TV sets


United Airlines
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/devices.aspx
Devices that are permitted for use:

electronic games
personal computers
entertainment players
recorders (audio and/or video, such as tape/CD/MiniDisc/MP3 players and camcorders)
calculators
shavers
cameras
aircraft power ports for laptops.

Devices that are NOT permitted for use:

battery-operated personal air-purifying devices
TVs
radio receivers and/or transmitters (including AM/FM/SW, CB and scanners)
remote-control toys