You have just boarded the plane that will take you to your next travel destination, and the flight crew recommend that you turn off your cell phones, and any other electronic device that has a connection, or set it to airplane mode. An option that has been available for several years now, but not everyone follows once on board.
But how does it work and why can you keep the phone on in airplane mode during the takeoff phase? Rules are continually evolving, and it’s wise to stay updated on all the news that concern us as passengers on European or intercontinental flights.
Can you keep airplane mode on during takeoff?
Yes, it is permitted to keep the phone in airplane mode during takeoff. Airplane mode is the function through which the phone stays on, but all radio connections are deactivated. It is therefore no longer possible to make and receive calls and messages, and you can no longer browse with mobile data or via Wi‑Fi (which, however, can be reactivated manually to connect to the aircraft’s Wi‑Fi network, when available free of charge or for a fee). Bluetooth is also deactivated, but you can manually reactivate it if needed.
By enabling the airplane mode during takeoff, the traveler can calmly continue to listen to music on their smartphone, or watch videos and films previously downloaded on dedicated platforms.
Why are smartphones asked to be put in airplane mode?
First, let’s debunk one of the myths surrounding the request to turn off electronic devices or put them in airplane mode during the critical phases of takeoff and landing: one or more smartphones on can’t cause an airplane to crash, and there is no evidence to suggest such a catastrophic outcome. But that does not mean this rule should be ignored.
The main reason for this request remains safety-related: the radio connections of the phone and of other electronic devices could interfere with the aircraft’s navigation and communication systems. For example, they can cause disturbances in the radio connections between the aircraft and the control tower, creating a kind of annoying buzz in the pilots’ headsets. In fact, pilots rely on the information they receive from the ground through the headsets they wear, especially during takeoff and landing. If the radio waves from multiple cell phones interfere with the headsets, the pilots can still understand the instructions provided by the control tower, but the audio may be more disturbed and less clear.
Another reason that dampens the use of phones on board would also be of a practical nature: allowing everyone to call indiscriminately (as happens on trains and buses) could end up creating too much disturbance and undermining the travelers’ quiet, as well as making the safety announcements from the crew less audible.
Rules in Europe and the rest of the world
In Europe, since 2014 the EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) has approved the use of electronic devices during all flight phases, but only if in airplane mode (i.e., with cellular radios disabled). The rules are still set by each airline: some allow enabling Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth (but not the cellular radios).
The same rules apply in the United States, where the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) regulations prohibit the use of devices that transmit signals during flight, unless they are used in “flight mode” and with radio connections disabled.
But Europe, unlike the USA, has moved to make the rules governing the use of cell phones during takeoff and all other flight phases less strict. In 2022, the European Commission gave the green light to the use of devices with 5G connectivity on commercial flights. An innovation that has not yet been concretely implemented by all carriers.
According to European regulation, airlines of EU member states are required to equip their aircraft with certain devices called “pico-cells,” which allow them to take advantage of the satellite network to connect to the internet. This avoids interference, since the frequency would be different from that used by the flight crew.
Now that you know all the reasons why you can (and should) keep airplane mode on in flight, particularly during takeoff and landing, all that remains is to follow the flight crew’s instructions before takeoff, then “Relax and enjoy your flight.”
