The Importance of Airplane Mode During Flights

It’s not that long ago that airlines stopped instructing passengers to keep their mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, and other devices turned off throughout the flight. Now, almost all devices come equipped with an airplane mode; but what exactly is airplane mode, and what are the consequences if you forget to activate it?

Why is Airplane Mode Necessary?

Passengers are asked to switch their devices to flight mode due to potential electromagnetic interference from phones, tablets, e-readers, electronic headsets, and similar devices. Historically, some airplanes were designed before these technologies became commonplace, resulting in a delay in adopting safety measures for device usage on flights.

Nowadays, you might even spot iPads and other tablets in the cockpit, utilized by pilots to manage important documentation without the burden of physical paperwork. Flight attendants have also adopted tablets and smartphones, either as replacements or supplements to traditional printed materials. These devices have undergone extensive testing to confirm that they do not cause interference with flight operations.

Potential Issues of Not Using Airplane Mode

For years, safety regulators, airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and professionals in the aviation industry have acknowledged that various devices may remain unchecked and out of airplane mode during flights. Interestingly, the fact that airplanes have not experienced widespread failures due to passengers forgetting to switch off their devices serves as a testament to the overall safety of the aircraft. However, this should not encourage complacency.

Many individuals may not realize that their Kindle or other devices have 3G capabilities, nor do they always consider that the Bluetooth features on their accessories also require airplane mode activation. Some passengers may even mistakenly assume that their crucial emails sent from devices like a BlackBerry will not impact flight safety—while this is mostly true, it creates unnecessary risk.

It’s essential to understand that aviation safety standards often surpass those of other everyday activities. Airlines and their regulatory bodies approach safety with abundant caution. Therefore, it is prudent to verify that all devices are set to airplane mode before departure.

This article was first published on August 20, 2019, and updated on November 24, 2020.