The history of restrictions on phone use on planes
The use of phones on planes has been subject to regulations for years, and these change as technology advances. At first the rules were very strict because of concerns about interference with onboard systems and radio communication between pilots and air traffic control. As technology developed and better protected systems were introduced, these restrictions gradually began to ease.
Changes in the rules for using phones on planes stem from research confirming that modern navigation systems are resistant to potential interference. Even so, the regulations are still under review, and their future shape depends on further testing and decisions by the bodies that oversee aviation safety.
Can you use your phone on a plane?
Current regulations on using phones on planes allow passengers to use mobile devices, as long as they are set to airplane mode. What is airplane mode on a phone? This mode disables the phone's transmitting functions, such as mobile data transmission, voice calls and text messages, which eliminates the risk of interference with onboard systems and crew radio communications. The introduction of this solution has allowed airlines to gradually relax earlier restrictions that completely prohibited the use of phones on board.
And is there internet on a plane? In some cases airlines offer access to onboard Wi-Fi services, which lets passengers use the internet during the flight. The ability to make phone calls over the mobile network still remains limited. In many countries the aviation rules in force do not permit the use of mobile telephony at high altitudes, and decisions on this matter rest with national regulators and individual carriers.
The rules in force are intended to maintain the highest flight safety standards, and any further liberalization depends on additional testing and decisions by the bodies that oversee air traffic.
Why airplane mode on a plane? We explain!
Do you have to turn on airplane mode on a plane? You don't have to, but if you don't, you must switch the phone off completely. So how do you turn on airplane mode? First go to your phone's settings or use the drop-down quick-access panel, where this option is usually marked with an airplane icon. Once you activate it, the phone stops sending and receiving radio signals, which lets you use the device during the flight in line with the regulations.
Despite the limitations on connectivity, a phone in airplane mode still lets you do many things. Passengers can use apps that don't require an internet connection, such as music players, offline games, text editors or photo galleries. You can also watch previously downloaded movies and series, read saved articles and use the camera. When an airline offers onboard Wi-Fi, users can connect to the network. And can you turn on Bluetooth on a plane? Yes, it lets you use wireless headphones or other accessories.
Airplane mode is also used outside of flights, for example to save battery, to avoid unwanted calls or to limit signal emissions in places that require quiet. Turning this feature on aboard a plane, however, is required for safety reasons and should be observed in accordance with the crew's instructions and the airline's regulations.
Is using a phone on a plane really dangerous?
There have been no recorded cases in which using a mobile phone led to an air disaster, yet there are reports of possible interference with the operation of onboard systems. Pilots and technical staff point to potential interference between phone signals and the frequencies used by navigation and communication equipment. Although modern aviation systems are increasingly well protected, the rules still require mobile devices to be switched to airplane mode during the flight.
Research is currently under way on using 5G networks aboard planes. It shows that 5G does not negatively affect aviation systems. In the future it may be possible to lift the requirement to use airplane mode, which would allow passengers to make phone calls freely and use data transmission. However, the final decisions on this matter depend on technical research and the regulations of the bodies responsible for aviation safety.
Rules on phones on planes
Regulations on using mobile phones aboard planes differ depending on the airline and the country in which the carrier is registered. The basic rules stem from the general guidelines of organizations dealing with aviation safety, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). However, the specific rules may vary depending on a given carrier's policy and the technological specifications of its fleet.
The introduction of 5G networks aboard planes may in the future affect the regulations in force. Some airlines are already testing solutions that allow mobile phones to be used safely in the standard way.
