Understanding Airplane Mode: What Happens If You Don't Use It During Flights?

The Consequences of Ignoring Airplane Mode

Do you switch your phone to airplane mode simply because the flight attendant requests it? Airlines typically instruct passengers to turn off their devices to avoid potential issues during takeoff.

According to Gary Coxe, an experienced pilot and flight instructor, the reality is that nothing significant occurs if you forget or choose not to comply. He reassures that your phone's activity won't cause the plane to crash due to lightning or interfere with in-flight systems. However, he notes that it could potentially disrupt the headsets used by the crew. In a widely viewed TikTok video, he elaborated that if several passengers on a Boeing 737 attempt to make calls simultaneously, it might interfere with the radio signals that pilots rely on for communication.

Pilots depend heavily on updates from the control tower, especially when visibility is limited on the runway. As reported by PerchPoint, interference from personal devices can lead to buzzing sounds in the headsets, which can obscure audio instructions. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) states that passengers may use their phones or electronic devices as long as they do not compromise safety or interfere with onboard radio equipment.

Despite this, the FAA has not confirmed any documented cases where a phone not set to airplane mode has directly caused an accident. In 1991, the Federal Communications Commission prohibited the use of cell phones on planes after it was found that their signals could disrupt essential aircraft instruments.