The importance of ‘putting your phone in aeroplane mode during flights’

Pilot reveals what happens ‘If You Don’t Put Your Phone In Aeroplane Mode’…

A recent conversation with a pilot revealed the overlooked significance of putting your phone in aeroplane mode during flights. The dialogue highlighted critical aspects such as avoiding interference with aircraft systems, minimising battery drain, and preventing unnecessary roaming charges.

Leading travel tour operator Ski Vertigo consulted a pilot to illuminate the critical reasons behind airlines’ simple request for passengers to switch their devices to aeroplane mode during flights.

The pilot has revealed the major consequences of passengers not switching their phones to aeroplane mode during a flight. Risks include interference with flight navigation tools to unexpected fees from connecting to terrestrial networks.

This advice aims not only to enhance passenger safety but also to improve the overall flying experience.

1. Interference with Aircraft Systems: A primary reason airlines ask passengers to switch their devices to aeroplane mode is to prevent any potential interference with the aircraft’s navigation and communication systems. Although modern aircraft are designed to be resilient against such interference, and incidents of actual interference are rare, the precaution remains enforced.

2. Battery Drain: Your mobile device will continuously search for a signal while you are in the air, leading to a quicker depletion of the battery. This is because the phone will exert more effort to establish a connection with cell towers that are either far below or out of reach, thereby increasing its power consumption in the process.
3. Possible Connection to Terrestrial Networks: At lower altitudes, it’s possible for your phone to connect to terrestrial cell networks. This can lead to roaming charges or other unexpected fees, depending on your phone plan and the network’s reach. However, as the altitude increases, the likelihood of connecting to these networks decreases significantly.
4. Impact on Cellular Networks: If many people on a flight do not switch their phones to aeroplane mode, the devices could theoretically connect to multiple cell towers on the ground as the plane moves at high speed. This rapid switching can cause congestion and inefficiencies in the network, though actual reported issues of this nature are minimal.
5. Legal and Policy Requirements: Failing to comply with the airline’s policy, including the use of electronic devices, can result in repercussions from the airline. While enforcement varies, and consequences for not switching to aeroplane mode are rarely severe, it is still a violation of airline policy.

6. Cellular Service Unavailability: Most of the time, your phone won’t be able to maintain a stable connection to cell towers due to the high speed and altitude of the plane. This means that, despite not being in aeroplane mode, functionality will be limited.