Can you keep your phone on airplane mode during takeoff? The answer

You have just boarded the plane that will take you to your next travel destination and the flight staff recommends you to turn off your cell phones , and any other technological device that has a connection, or to set it to airplane mode . An option that has been available for several years now, but that not everyone does once on the plane.

But how does it work and why can you keep your phone in airplane mode during takeoff ? The rules are constantly evolving and it is good to stay up to date on all the news that concern us as passengers on European or intercontinental flights.

Can you keep airplane mode on during takeoff?

Yes, you are allowed to keep your phone in airplane mode during takeoff. Airplane mode is the function through which the phone remains 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 can however be reactivated manually to connect to the plane's Wi-Fi network, when available free or for a fee). Bluetooth is also deactivated, but in this case too it can be reactivated manually.

By activating airplane mode during takeoff , the traveler can safely continue listening to music on their smartphone, or watch videos and films previously downloaded on dedicated platforms.

Why are smartphones asked to be put into airplane mode?

Let's first dispel 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 turned on will not cause a plane to crash and there is no evidence that could suggest such a catastrophic outcome. But that does not mean that this provision should be ignored.

The main reason for this request is still related to safety : the radio connections of the telephone and other electronic devices, in fact, could interfere with the navigation and communication systems of the aircraft. For example, they can create disturbances with the radio connections between the plane and the control tower, forming a sort of annoying buzz in the pilots' headphones. In fact, they rely on the information they receive from the ground through the headphones they wear, especially for takeoff and landing. In this way, if the radio waves of several cell phones interfere with the headphones, the pilots can still understand the instructions given by the control tower, but the audio could be more disturbed and less clear.

Another reason that slows down the use of the telephone on board could also be of an experiential nature: allowing everyone to call on the telephone (as happens on trains and buses) could end up creating too much disturbance and undermining the peace of travellers, in addition to making the crew's vocal safety announcements barely audible.

The 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 phases of flight, but only if in airplane mode (i.e. with cellular radios turned off). The rules are still set by each airline: some allow you to activate Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (but not cellular radios).

The same rules also apply in the United States , where 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 deactivated.

But Europe, unlike the US, has moved to make the rules regarding the use of cell phones during takeoff and all other phases of the flight less stringent . In 2022, the European Commission gave the green light to the use of 5G-enabled devices on scheduled flights. An innovation that, however, has not yet been concretely implemented by all companies.

According to European regulations, airlines of EU member states are required to equip their aircraft with special equipment, called “ pico-cells ”, which allow them to use the satellite network to connect to the Internet. This avoids creating interference, since the frequency would be different from that used by the pilots.

Now that you know all the reasons why you can (and should) keep airplane mode on in flight, especially during takeoff and landing, all that remains is to follow the instructions of the flight staff before takeoff, so “ Relax and enjoy your flight “.