Can I use my phone on a plane?

If you’re flying somewhere for Christmas, you’re not late to this question. Nearly everyone asks it quietly while pretending they already know the answer. The short answer is... you’re not about to accidentally pilot the aircraft into Kiribati because you opened Instagram. The long answer? Hm…

Airlines generally let you use phones and other devices once they’re in airplane mode. In Europe, EASA updated guidance years ago to enable gate-to-gate use of portable electronic devices, meaning devices can often stay on through taxi, take-off and landing if the airline allows it, as long as they’re in the right mode.

It’s the airline (and the aircraft operator) that decides what’s permitted on that flight, and the cabin crew are the final boss of that decision.

Does it interfere with anything?

When your phone isn’t in airplane mode, it keeps trying to connect to mobile masts. Up in the air it can’t settle on one, so it tries again, and again, and again. That is the bit that can cause interference, including noise in pilot headsets and potential issues with aircraft systems in certain scenarios.

Aviation regulators have treated this seriously for a long time, which is why rules exist in the first place. Also, even if modern aircrafts are very resilient, the rule isn’t because one phone will definitely crash a plane. It’s because loads of phones all transmitting at once is an avoidable risk, and pilots would quite like to hear air traffic control without a chorus of angry bees.

So WTH does airplane mode actually do?

Airplane mode switches off the parts of your phone that transmit signals, mainly mobile network, and often Wi-Fi and Bluetooth too (you can usually turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth back on manually afterwards). That way your phone stops hunting for a signal like it’s auditioning for a survival documentary.

Why do they still make you put it away sometimes?

Two big reasons. Safety and attention. During take-off and landing, they want you alert and not fiddling with cables, charging bricks, and three different screens while they re giving instructions. And projectile risk. In turbulence, your phone becomes a tiny flying brick with opinions.

What about Bluetooth headphones?

Usually fine if the airline allows it (most do). Bluetooth is low power compared to a phone trying to connect to mobile networks, and airlines commonly permit it once devices are in flight mode, sometimes even during take-off and landing depending on the carrier.

What about Wi-Fi?

If the plane has onboard Wi-Fi and it’s switched on, you can use it when the crew says it’s allowed. Sometimes it’s after take-off, sometimes it’s basically whenever you like, sometimes it’s the Wi-Fi is available but only spiritually.

What people forget: batteries

Separate to interference, there’s the battery side of things. Lithium batteries can be a safety issue if they overheat or get damaged, which is why airlines have rules about spare batteries and power banks (and why some airlines get twitchy about charging setups). Keep power banks in cabin baggage, don’t wedge them into seat mechanisms, and don’t create a tangled charging nest that looks like it could start its own weather system.

Finally…

Use your phone. Absolutely. Especially if you know Aunt Jadwinia will ask if you’ve gained weight again and need the distraction. Just switch on airplane mode when you’re told, connect to onboard Wi-Fi if available. Or simply enjoy not having emails for a few hours.