Your phone won’t crash the plane, but it can cause annoying interference with pilots’ headsets and is technically against FAA rules.

Some countries (like in Europe) now allow calls mid-flight, but the U.S. hasn’t caught up yet.

🔍 The Real Risks of Skipping Airplane Mode

1. It Can Annoy Pilots (But Won’t Crash the Plane)

🔹 Pilot headsets pick up a faint buzzing (like a mosquito) when phones search for a signal

🔹 This makes it harder (but not impossible) to hear air traffic control

🔹 Worst-case scenario? A slightly distracted pilot during takeoff/landing

2. You Could Get Kicked Off the Flight

🔹 In 2018, a passenger was removed from a plane for refusing to enable airplane mode

🔹 A 2016 Flybe passenger was fined $600 for ignoring the rule

🔹 Flight attendants can report you to the authorities for non-compliance

3. Your Phone Will Die Faster

🔹 Constantly searching for a signal drains battery

🔹 At 30,000 feet, your phone boosts power to reach towers, overheating faster

🌍 Why Europe Allows Phones On—But the U.S. Doesn’t

Europe/UK	United States
✅ 5G calls/texts allowed	❌ Airplane mode mandatory
Uses lower-frequency 5G (safe for planes)	U.S. 5G interferes with altimeters
Planes have picocells (mini cell towers)	No widespread picocell adoption

Fun fact: The FAA’s last major update on this rule was in 2017—before 5G even existed!

📱 What Happens If You Accidentally Forget?

🔹 Nothing dramatic—just a possible buzz in the cockpit.

🔹 No recorded plane crashes from phone signals.

🔹 But if a flight attendant notices, they’ll ask you to turn it on.

💡 Pro Tips

✔ Use Wi-Fi instead (most planes offer it)

✔ Download movies/music before flying

✔ Enable airplane mode before takeoff to save battery

🚨 Bottom Line

You probably won’t cause a disaster, but why risk it? Airplane mode saves battery, keeps pilots happy, and avoids fines. Until the U.S. upgrades its systems, just flip the switch!

Thoughts? Have you ever forgotten airplane mode? Share below! 👇