Before taking off, the crew usually asks passengers to activate airplane mode on their mobile devices. Although most follow the indication without questioning it, the doubt remains: is it really dangerous to forget to activate this function during a flight?
The answer is clear: the risk to the safety of the aircraft is practically non-existent.However, the policy of activating airplane mode remains in force on many airlines, as it prioritizes operability and comfort on board.
Currently, the requirement to activate airplane mode depends largely on the internal policy of each airline and not so much on strict regulations from international organizations.Some companies, such as Virgin Atlantic or Emirates, allow their customers to access WiFi during the flight.Others, like Iberia, maintain the obligation to activate airplane mode from takeoff to landing.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Commission relaxed their stance on the use of mobile devices on board more than ten years ago.However, the final decision remains in the hands of each airline, which may require technical adaptations to the aircraft and additional verifications to allow greater autonomy for passengers. Therefore, the application of the rule varies and the disparity between companies persists.
Contrary to common belief, having your phone turned on and connected does not pose a danger to the flight operating system or aircraft communications.The electrical and telecommunications systems of modern aircraft are designed to resist possible interference from personal electronic devices.
Pilots such as Patrick Smith, cited by Xataka, insist that there are no proven cases of incidents caused by cell phones during a flight.Aeronautical technology protects systems against possible interfering signals, although the criterion of prudence remains a standard in civil aviation.
The main reason for maintaining the airplane mode requirement is to avoid acoustic disturbances that could interfere with essential communication between the crew and air traffic controllers.When multiple devices remain on and connected, a noticeable hum or technical noise is generated in the cabin communication systems.
This sound is not dangerous, but it is annoying and makes it difficult for pilots and controllers to hear, who depend on a clear signal for flight operation.
The interference manifests itself as a hum similar to that which occurs when a microphone is too close to a speaker.An isolated call may go unnoticed, but if many passengers ignore the rule and keep their devices connected, the effect is multiplied, making communications difficult and causing discomfort for both staff and passengers.
Thus, the ban seeks to prevent the accumulation of these noises and ensure that the internal communication of the aircraft remains clear.
The technical discussion has evolved with the advancement of onboard connectivity. More and more flights offer WiFi and allow the use of messaging applications, which has increased tolerance towards the use of electronic devices.
However, allowing voice calls throughout the journey opens up practical challenges for coexistence.Listening to continuous conversations at different volumes can degrade the experience of the rest of the passengers, generating tensions similar to those that occur in other means of transportation.
Pilots with years of experience, such as Perico Durán, minimize the technical scope of the problem, but emphasize the annoyance derived from the hum produced by active cell phones.Engineers such as Coenraad Loubser have pointed out that even some crew members do not always comply with the rule, reinforcing the idea of its practicality rather than strict safety.
Aircraft manufacturers and operators recognize that technological advances have made this prohibition less relevant from a safety point of view.
