• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
This is what really happens if you leave your phone on during a flight

Home> News> Travel

Published 21:10 8 Mar 2024 GMT

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

A pilot has explained the reason why airplane mode is used during flights.

Chelsea Connor

Chelsea Connor

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up any questions about the importance of switching to 'airplane mode' while on a flight, claiming that the rule is 'outdated'.

Advert

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
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.

Advert

"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.”

Advert

Flying at low altitudes could cause 'cellular towers to overload.'
Getty

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.

Featured Image Credit: Peter Cade/Asep Bagja Priandana / 500px

Topics: Travel, Technology, Science

Chelsea Connor
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.

X

@theccjourno

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Pilot shares what really happens if you don't turn phones on flight mode during a flight
  • People shocked after hearing exactly what happens to your body if you die in a plane crash
  • Plane crash investigator reveals what actually happens if you don't turn airplane mode on when you fly
  • Science breaks down exactly what happens to your brain when you have sex

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
7 hours ago
8 hours ago
  • 6 hours ago

    Experts reveal why millennials are abandoning organized religion and what they're doing instead

    Americans are becoming increasingly disassociated with traditional religion, according to a new study's in-depth analysis of millennials

    News
  • 7 hours ago

    Underrated Jennifer Lawrence movie that fans say is 'the best they've ever seen' is leaving Prime very soon

    The movie saw Jennifer Lawrence get her first Oscar nomination

    Film & TV
  • 7 hours ago

    'Cause' of tragic nightclub roof collapse that killed 236 people revealed as owners are arrested

    The roof of the Dominican Republic-based club collapsed in April

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Rare resurfaced interview with man who survived 9/11 from 72nd floor as same tower collapsed behind him

    The man was speaking to a journalist when the tower he'd just been in crumbled in front of him

    News