Our phones are our lifelines – it has everything we need for our personal and work lives, so when we’re left without them, we can feel a little bit lost. This includes when we’re flying – even though we know we should be putting our phones on airplane mode, many of us still wonder if we have to do that or if we can use our phones on a plane.
The answer is that it depends. While it’s safer to put your phone on airplane mode to prevent the signals from interfering with flight software, there are select features that are available for use, even if your phone is in airplane mode. It is safe to use your phone on a plane, and here’s all you need to know.
Key Takeaways
- Putting your phone on airplane mode during a flight is recommended to prevent signals from interfering with flight software, but there are certain features that can still be used while in airplane mode.
- In-flight wifi may be available for a fee, and some airlines may offer free wifi texting or in-flight entertainment. However, wifi on planes can be unreliable, so it’s important to be prepared with offline content as well.
- You can still use certain features on your phone that don’t require wifi or cell services, such as downloaded music or audiobooks. It’s important to prepare and download any necessary content beforehand to avoid relying on the internet or phone service during the flight.
- When it’s time to switch off devices during takeoff and landing, it’s important to follow airline regulations and only use your phone when it is safe to do so.
- While the exact impact of phone signals on flight operations is unclear, it’s better to be safe than sorry and follow the rules set by the airline.
Airplane Mode
During the flight safety checks, you’ll hear announcements that all devices should be switched off or put in airplane mode. This helps shut off certain features that could interfere with the software on the plane and signals from the ground as you’re trying to take off and land.
Just how much this could impact your flight operations is unclear, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Besides, when you’re in the air, the signal won’t work. You’re too far away from the towers, so all you’re doing is draining the battery if you leave it on in full-service mode. If you do, it’s not the end of the world – just make sure you have a charger available nearby if your battery is dead.
Even if your phone is in airplane mode, there are features that you can use while flying to help pass the time, both on wifi and off it, as long as you do some prep work.
WiFi Features
When you’re on a flight, you can connect to the in-flight wifi and use your phone. Some carriers will charge for this feature, while others allow certain interactions for free. For example, you may need to pay to get wifi on your laptop to do work, but the airline could offer free wifi texting.
Additionally, some in-flight entertainment may also be offered free of charge over wifi, so it’s important to know what your flight offers. For some, even if there’s a small fee, it’s worth it, though keep in mind that wifi on the plane isn’t always the most reliable service. If you have difficulty connecting, you can request a refund.
Standard Features
You can also use features on your phone that do not require wifi or cell service. Download music to help pass the time or listen to an audiobook. As long as these are saved directly to your device and not being streamed from the cloud, you are free to use them without the need for internet or phone service.
The same can be said for all locally downloaded content, so if you know you need to do something on your phone during the flight, it’s best to prepare beforehand to save yourself the trouble.
So, Can You Use Your Phone On A Plane?
Yes, you can use your phone on a plane; however, you should not depend on service or wifi if you need to use it for something important. You can always try to download the content to ensure it is available.
Just how much your phone interferes with the flight is still up for debate, especially with recent technological advances; however, it’s best to be safe and listen to the airline staff. When it’s time to switch your devices off, please do so and only use them once they say it is safe to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is it safe to use your phone on a plane?
Yes, using your phone on a plane is safe, but it’s recommended to put it in airplane mode during the flight to prevent signals from interfering with flight software.
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What features can you use on your phone during a flight?
While in airplane mode, you can still use certain features on your phone, such as downloaded music or audiobooks. In-flight wifi may also be available for a fee, and some airlines may offer free wifi texting or in-flight entertainment.
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Can you make phone calls during a flight?
Generally, phone calls are not allowed during a flight, regardless of whether your phone is in airplane mode.
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Why must you put your phone on airplane mode during a flight?
Putting your phone in airplane mode during a flight is recommended to prevent signals from interfering with flight software. It also helps conserve battery life since there’s no signal when you’re in the air.
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What should you do when it’s time to switch off devices during takeoff and landing?
Following airline regulations and switching off your devices during takeoff and landing is important. Only use your phone when the airline staff says it’s safe.
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Can using your phone on a plane cause interference with flight operations?
While the exact impact of phone signals on flight operations is unclear, it’s better to be safe than sorry and follow the rules set by the airline to prevent any potential interference.
