What Really Happens If You Don’t Turn on Airplane Mode?

Airplane mode is a crucial feature on our everyday devices, yet its importance often goes unnoticed. Is there truth to the tales of cell phones endangering flights?

Not activating airplane mode can disrupt flight operations significantly. As a plane ascends, devices work harder to connect with cell towers, leading to disruptive feedback noise for pilots and controllers.

Switching to airplane mode is a key safety step. While your phone may not down a plane, it can complicate matters for those navigating and controlling the aircraft.

What Really Happens If You Don’t Turn on Airplane Mode? Will the Plane Crash?

Many airline travelers have mistakenly believed that their phones interfere with the plane’s navigation equipment. However, you might be relieved to know that this isn’t the case.

Planes’ navigational systems are built to resist external interference. The fear that phones could affect these systems exists, yet no proof has emerged.

Should devices pose a real risk, the National Transportation Safety Board would issue a warning. To date, no crash has been linked to electromagnetic interference from devices.

Will a Phone Cause a Crash?

Your phone is more likely to trouble air traffic controllers and pilots than to cause a crash. Devices that are low-power on the ground ramp up their energy use in the air.

Flying at high altitudes puts planes far from cell towers, forcing phones to boost power significantly. This energy surge surpasses what’s needed for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

What’s the Biggest Problem Your Phone Can Cause?

Phones ramping up their power emit radio waves that can affect pilots and air traffic control systems.

A single phone might not cause significant issues, but multiple active devices amplify the problem.

Increased radio interference can distract pilots, raising the risk of errors that might lead to emergencies.

What Are the Consequences of Forgetting to Turn on Airplane Mode?

If you forget to turn on airplane mode, your device will try to connect to every cellular tower on the ground that the plane passes over. When you consider the number of cellular towers available now, that is a lot of activity.

When your phone or tablet scans for a signal, it searches non-stop for towers or stations. This constant scanning drains your battery rapidly due to high power use.

If Phones Are a Problem, Why Are Calls Allowed on Some Flights?

Some carriers advertise the ability to make in-flight cellular calls, thanks to onboard cell stations. This setup allows phones to operate with much less power. Still, adhering to requests for airplane mode simplifies things for the crew.

Why is Wi-Fi Usage Permitted on Planes?

Satellite-based Wi-Fi is now a staple on flights, offering a key benefit: it bypasses cellular networks entirely.

Flight Wi-Fi enables web browsing, email, social media use, and streaming, but voice calls are off-limits in U.S. airspace.

Airlines might offer varied service levels, allowing upgrades for faster speeds, especially for streaming enthusiasts.

How Could In-Flight Cellular Access Change in Coming Years?

The European Commission has permitted in-flight cellular service within the E.U., with some airlines offering data, text, and even calls.

For this service, planes require onboard cellular bases, technology to block connections to land-based stations, and satellite links. This technology has seen success beyond Europe.

While available in the U.S., it awaits FCC rule changes. Despite less dramatic consequences, turning on airplane mode benefits all involved.

Final Thoughts

Although what happens if you don’t turn on airplane mode is not as dramatic as you might think, doing your part will do everyone a favor in the long run. Pilots, crew members, and air traffic controllers will appreciate your efforts.