Why it's important to use “airplane mode” on an airplane and what happens if you don't

Airplane is considered as one of the safest ways to travel from one point to another in the world.

However, every time we board an airplane, we are asked to set our mobile devices to airplane mode. But what accounts for this now consolidated practice? Are There Real Dangers of Using Cell Phones While Flying?

The law regulating the use of electronic devices during flight has its roots in a time when technology was not as advanced as it is today. In those years, it was not uncommon to think that internal instruments were sensitive to interference generated by personal devices such as mobile phones. This concern has led international authorities responsible for aviation and telecommunications to introduce restrictions on the use of such devices during flights.

The question of interference

Although there is a significant distance between the frequencies used by aircraft communication and navigation systems (108-136 MHz) and mobile phones (around 900 MHz), However, cell phones are prone to generating interference in the form of unwanted noise, especially when searching for a network. In aircraft systems. For this reason, it is preferable to avoid using data connections during flight.

Another practical aspect to consider is high-altitude mobile network coverage. Although allowing data connections to be kept active without switching to airplane mode, passengers may find it difficult to connect to mobile networks on the ground given the aircraft's high altitude and speed. As a result, cell phone use will be impossible for most of the trip without services specifically provided by the airline.

Last but not least, there is the impact on the overall travel experience to consider. Let's imagine a long intercontinental flight with dozens or hundreds of phones ringing non-stop day and night due to different time zones: Can't talk about a pleasant atmosphere for both passengers and crew.

Airplanes today are technologically designed to be more susceptible to external interference than in the past and there are no documented accidents involving the use of cell phones in flight. Precautionary selection of the “Airplane Mode” system is justified by more valid practical and operational reasons aimed at safety and joint comfort during travel.