MythBusters test to see if cell phones actually have any effect on airplane controls
Published on Sep 28, 2025 at 11:06 PM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Sep 28, 2025 at 11:06 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Did you know that the MythBusters tested to see if cell phones actually have any effect on airplanes while they’re on the tarmac because regulations said they couldn’t do it in flight?
The team didn’t just use modern smartphones; they tried multiple phones, from old-school analog devices to newer ones.
They picked a purposely higher-tech plane, a Hawker 800XP, which is loaded with many electronic systems, including LCD digital displays.
The team was surprised to come to their conclusion, but it seems very much to be a case of better safe than sorry when it comes to using your phone in the air.
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MythBusters see if cell phones have any effect on airplane controls
You know when you get on an airplane and the air stewards tell you that you must turn off your cell phones because it might interfere with the airplane’s controls?
Well, the Mythbusters team decided to test whether phones had as big an effect on planes as it was suggested they did.
In order to do their test, the team picked a Hawker 800XP with a ‘glass cockpit’ because it’s chock-full of tech that could be potentially interfered with. phoe
The only problem for the team was that, due to regulations, the tests had to take place on the tarmac, so it wasn’t entirely an experiment to see whether the phones would affect the controls in the air.
Did the phones affect anything?
The team began experimenting with all different types of phones, from old-school analog phones to newer smartphones.
Engineers explained to the team that while electronic systems can sometimes interfere with each other, modern aircraft are heavily shielded against outside radio frequency (RF) signals.
After extensive testing, the MythBusters found no evidence that cell phones interfere with plane controls, declaring the myth busted.
However, there are some caveats to this busted myth. Firstly, there’s the fact that they didn’t do the experiment while airborne, which could have affected the result as well.
Certifying every phone model against every aircraft system would cost millions, and with new phones hitting the market constantly, regulators play it safe by banning them all just in case.
Better safe than sorry!
Daisy is a technology journalist, covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, digital business, and emerging technologies. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral tech hacks and the latest developments in the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex technology stories into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work focuses on the products, platforms, and innovations that are transforming the way people work, communicate, and interact with technology. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
