Why Activating Airplane Mode Is Crucial During Flights

Finger touching phone with red warning symbol.

While the FAA requires passengers to put their phones in airplane mode during flights, conflicting expert opinions have emerged about whether this decades-old rule is still necessary for modern aircraft safety.

Quick Takes

Both the FAA and FCC prohibit cell phone use during flights due to potential interference with aircraft instruments
Electronic devices emit radio waves that could disrupt critical communication between pilots and air traffic control
Some aviation experts now question whether airplane mode is truly necessary with modern technology
The European Union allows in-flight phone use with 5G technology while the U.S. maintains stricter regulations
Even without safety concerns, airplane mode helps conserve phone battery and allows passengers to disconnect during flights

Understanding Airplane Mode Requirements

Federal regulations require passengers to switch electronic devices to airplane mode when instructed by flight attendants. This directive comes directly from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which have jointly prohibited the use of cellular connections during flights since 1991. Airplane mode effectively deactivates all wireless connections on a device, preventing it from sending or receiving cellular signals while still allowing Wi-Fi access if the aircraft provides an approved connection service.

Attaching it to the window of an aircraft would temporarily alter the aircraft. This would be a violation. Additionally, all personal electronic devices must be turned to airplane mode and stowed during taxi, takeoff and landing. Thanks, Seth. ^DP

— United Airlines (@united) February 12, 2019

According to official FAA guidelines, “the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibit the use of cell phones during flight due to the potential interference with crucial aircraft instruments.”

Safety concerns remain the primary justification for these regulations. Electronic devices emit radio waves and electromagnetic interference that can potentially disrupt aircraft communication systems. These disruptions become especially problematic during critical flight phases like takeoff and landing, when pilots must maintain clear communication with air traffic control and ground support. The integrity of these communications directly impacts passenger safety throughout the flight.

Evolving Expert Opinions

Despite longstanding regulations, aviation experts have increasingly divided opinions on whether airplane mode remains necessary with modern aircraft technology. Some pilots, like Gary Coxe, have expressed skepticism about the actual impact of cell phones on aircraft systems. When asked what happens if passengers don’t use airplane mode, Coxe simply stated, “Not a darn thing.”

Other aviation professionals have taken a more nuanced position. One expert from PerchPoint acknowledged that while active cell phones won’t cause catastrophic system failures, they can create interference issues: “No, your plane won’t fall out of the sky, and it won’t even mess with the systems on board. However, it does have the potential to mess with the headsets.” This interference is described as “annoying” rather than dangerous, suggesting that the rule may be more about communication clarity than preventing crashes.

International Differences in Regulation

While U.S. regulations remain relatively strict, other regions have adopted more progressive approaches. The European Union now allows in-flight phone use with 5G technology through a system called “picocell” that maintains connectivity without disrupting aircraft operations. European 5G networks operate at lower frequencies that avoid interference with aircraft communications technology. Meanwhile, the FAA has not substantially updated its airplane mode regulations since 2017.

The FCC itself has acknowledged technological advancements in this area, stating that “technology that can be installed directly on an airplane is now available to prevent such interference and has already been deployed successfully in many other countries around the world without incident.”

Despite these technological advances and differing international standards, U.S. passengers remain obligated to follow crew instructions regarding electronic devices. The FAA’s current position allows cell phone use in flight only if it doesn’t affect safety or communication systems. Passengers who disregard these instructions may face consequences beyond potential technical interference, as failure to comply with crew instructions is a violation of federal regulations.

Benefits Beyond Safety

Even setting aside technical safety concerns, airplane mode offers practical benefits for travelers. Using this setting conserves phone battery life during flights, as devices otherwise constantly search for signals at high altitudes. Additionally, airplane mode provides an opportunity for passengers to disconnect from the constant demands of digital communication, creating a more relaxing travel experience. Many travelers now view flights as one of the few remaining opportunities to enjoy uninterrupted downtime.

Despite ongoing debates about its technical necessity, airplane mode remains a standard requirement for air travel in the United States. The precautionary principle continues to guide aviation safety regulations – that even small potential risks should be mitigated when hundreds of lives are at stake thousands of feet above ground. Until regulatory bodies update their guidelines based on evolving technology, passengers should continue complying with crew instructions regarding electronic devices.