Flight attendant reveals if you actually need to put your phone in Airplane Mode when flying

Frequent fliers will be familiar with the standard request to put your phone into Airplane Mode before takeoff, but is it really necessary? One flight attendant has revealed all.

When jetting off somewhere, between the cabin crew safety demonstration and the plane taking off, you’ll be asked to turn your phone into Airplane Mode. 

This turns off all your phone signals, such as WiF, cellular data, and Bluetooth, and is a legal requirement in many regions. 

But why are we actually asked to do it? And is it really necessary? Here’s the answer.

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A flight attendant explained why we’re asked to switch to Airplane Mode

Flight attendants are the ideal people to share travel behind the scenes travel information, like why you shouldn’t order coffee on a flight, or what to do if you drop your phone between the seats – and the answer isn’t ‘just pick it up’. 

Or, whether it’s really necessary to put your phone into Airplane Mode before takeoff, and former Virgin Atlantic cabin crew member Mandy Smith had the answer. 

“If you’re aware that Airplane Mode needs to be on, please do so,” she told LADbible. 

“This is to prevent us losing signal from a beacon.”

She went on to explain that when a plane is taking off or landing, it will rely on a nearby radio beacon to let it know where the ground is, which can be impacted by smartphone signals, or even retro toys, apparently. 

“Any other radio signals, such as mobile phones, even Furbies – they used to ban Furbies back in the day – are not allowed because they could interfere with that signal,” she added. 

So, in short: yes, it is necessary to put your phone into Airplane Mode before takeoff. 

Not only is it a legal requirement in numerous countries, but it’ll also help to keep you and your fellow passengers safer.

Some airlines let you stay connected with onboard WiFi

Although switching your phone to Airplane Mode is a must while flying, there are some airlines that allow you to stay connected by offering onboard WiFi. 

Several large airlines, including Air New Zealand, Emirates, and Delta,  have WiFi services across some of their fleet. 

And just last year, Qatar Airways announced that it had partnered with Starlink to offer the fastest in-air WiFi speeds. 

To access onboard WiFi services, you’ll need to turn your phone into Airplane Mode, wait a short while after takeoff, and then manually switch on your WiFi signal while still keeping it in Airplane Mode.

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