During the preparations for an airplane takeoff, the crew of any commercial or international flight insists that passengers activate the airplane mode on their cell phones. This recommendation, which some find annoying, is made to ensure safety and the proper functioning of the systems of the aircraft they are using.
Airplane mode is a feature present in all modern mobile phones and tablets. When activated, the device does not allow wireless connections such as receiving calls, using data, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or sending text messages. It only permits access to files previously stored or downloaded on the device; and for this reason, it often feels inconvenient for passengers. However, it has an important purpose that few people consider.
How can this mode protect your flight?
The main reason flight attendants ask passengers to enable airplane mode is the possible interference from radio frequency signals emitted by electronic devices, which could affect the various navigation and control systems of the aircraft.
Both air traffic controllers and pilots depend on numerous radio transmissions to exchange critical information about the flight—especially during takeoff and landing. This is when signals from cell phones can generate noise in the headsets of the crew, preventing proper communication.
