The announcement usually comes as the plane's boarding door is being shut and you're trying to send a final email or text:
Federal regulations require portable electronic devices to be set to airplane mode or cellular service to be turned off.
As you push your last message through or wait for a Netflix episode to finish downloading, you might wonder if your delay in compliance can actually cause any issues with your flight. Here's what every traveler needs to know.
What is airplane mode?
Airplane mode, represented as a plane icon, is a setting on phones, tablets, iPads, and many other devices. When activated, it disables all wireless services (calls, data, and text messages) on your device. While you're still able to connect to Wi-Fi in airplane mode, you're not able to connect to your mobile provider's cell network.
Why is airplane mode required during flight?
Out of an abundance of caution, airlines instruct passengers not to use their devices' cellular data networks. That's because electronic devices can emit a signal within the same frequency band as the aircraft's communications and navigation systems, creating electromagnetic interference. Even if rare, electromagnetic interference could cause disruptions, especially in older planes or with older equipment. Another real concern is possible signal interference with ground networks and mass simultaneous device signals causing noise in cockpit radios and navigation systems.
Voice calls are also banned. In 1991, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) blocked voice calls due to “concerns about interference with wireless networks on the ground.” While the risk of interference may be low, it's not zero, so the safety precautions remain in effect.
The bottom line
While the European Union recently approved 5G usage via the plane's onboard network equipment (not directly to cell towers), US airlines must follow FAA regulations. Current regulatory compliance requires electronic devices to be in airplane mode unless specifically permitted by the airline. Airplane mode is a safety measure, and when it comes to flying, safety, of course, is paramount.