This is what really happens if you leave your phone on during a flight

Most of us know that when we get on a plane is a desperate scrabble to turn the Wi-Fi off on our phones for 'safety reasons'....but what is the actual safety issue?

There are many important and obvious safety protocols when it comes to flying, making sure your seatbelt is on, ensuring you're not standing for take-off and landing, they all make sense. But what's the reason we have to frantically switch off our electronics?

EasyJet pilot Chris Foster has cleared up any questions about the importance of switching to 'airplane mode' while on a flight, claiming that the rule is 'outdated'.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "It really wouldn't be a problem. Aircraft control systems are so sophisticated now, that they wouldn’t cause any interference.

"The regulations date back many years to when we didn’t even have things like iPads. The laws are starting to be relaxed – you can now use your devices in flight safety mode – and I think we’ll see more changes over the next few years.”

There's a few reasons an airline may ask you to turn your phone off. Credit:Peter Cade/Getty

The Civil Aviation Authority echoed in agreement, saying that since that airlines are more likely equipped to handle incoming calls and texts when flying, they said: “Some airlines allow passengers to use electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets and e-readers, for the duration of a flight.

"These airlines have conducted safety tests to ensure electronic devices do not adversely affect their aircraft.

"Currently, all electronic devices must remain in Flight Mode when switched on unless passengers are advised otherwise by cabin crew.”

Before you sit through your next flight face-timing or getting yourself into a scroll hole while trying to relax, they did say that the leniency differs with airlines, with some holding a stricter policy than others.

They said: "The situation will vary from one airline to another. Passengers will always be instructed by cabin crew as to exactly what electronic devices can be used, and in what mode, at the beginning of a flight.”

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While it may not make a difference in terms of control systems, in the US passengers can be fined for not turning off cell phones while in-flight.

Aside from safety, one of the reasons passengers are asked to turn off their phones is said to be that too many people using their phones while flying over a cellular tower could 'cause it too overload' when flying at low altitudes.

Topics: Travel, Technology, Science

Chelsea Connor

Chelsea is a Journalist for UNILAD. Before this she worked as a Journalist and Comedy Writer for seven years, working for companies such as Newsquest, NationalWorld and Samahoma Productions. She became a qualified journalist back in 2017, completing a NCTJ at Liverpool City College.

@theccjourno