When boarding an airplane, the call always sounds: put your mobile devices in airplane mode.
For many passengers, this instruction may seem like a formality, but its background is firmly rooted in technical and safety-related considerations. Although technological advances in aviation make many things possible, this rule remains an important part of flying. Mobile signals, however remote the chance may seem, can cause interference with aircraft systems.
Modern aircraft are equipped with highly sophisticated electronics that play a crucial role in communication, navigation and other operational functions. Pilots communicate with air traffic controllers on specific frequencies and rely on interference-free connections. If passengers do not turn off their cell phones or put them in airplane mode, they are constantly trying to contact cell towers on the ground. This can result in a cumulative interference of hundreds of signals, which can affect the clarity of communication between pilots and air traffic control.
airplane mode
In addition to these safety aspects, the load on mobile networks on the ground plays a role. When an aircraft takes off and moves at high speed, mobile phones continuously try to connect to different cell towers. This continuous switching can lead to network congestion, especially in areas with heavy air traffic. This can cause inconvenience to users on the ground who try to use the same towers.
Airplane mode was created to prevent such problems. By putting your phone into this mode, all functions that emit radio waves, such as mobile data, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, are disabled. You can still use other functions, such as reading documents stored offline, listening to music or playing games. Many airlines now offer Wi-Fi on board, which gives passengers the opportunity to stay connected without causing interference.
progress makes wifi possible
The introduction of Wi-Fi in flights is a technological milestone. Satellite communications are often used for intercontinental flights. An antenna on the aircraft sends signals to satellites in geostationary orbit, which then send data to ground stations. For shorter distances, air-to-ground technology is sometimes used, where the aircraft makes direct contact with special cell towers on the ground. Many airlines combine both systems, which allows passengers to stay connected even over oceans or in remote areas.
The idea that a single phone could bring down a plane is a myth. Although the guidelines for airplane mode are strictly adhered to, they are more of a precaution than an immediate danger. If you do not put your phone in airplane mode, the plane's instruments will continue to function normally in most cases.
However, these systems have limitations. For example, the internet speed is often slower than usual, because the bandwidth is shared by all passengers. In addition, the large distance that signals have to travel causes a noticeable delay. The costs of this advanced technology are often passed on to passengers or included in premium airline tickets.
Strict rules will remain in place for the time being
Despite technological advances, aviation authorities such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continue to enforce the rules on airplane mode. This is seen as a necessary precaution to completely eliminate risks, no matter how small. Passengers can benefit from this by saving energy on their devices and having a more peaceful travel experience without incoming notifications.
With the advent of new technologies such as 5G, research is underway to better integrate mobile networks during flights. For example, SpaceX, through its Starlink project, has already taken steps to enable faster and more reliable connections using improved satellite systems. While these developments are encouraging, for now it remains prudent and mandatory to put mobile devices into airplane mode once you are on board.
