Airplane mode explained

Airplane mode (also known as aeroplane mode, flight mode, offline mode, or standalone mode) is a setting available on smartphones and other portable devices. When activated, this mode suspends the device's radio-frequency (RF) signal transmission technologies (i.e., Bluetooth, telephony and Wi-Fi), effectively disabling all analog voice, and digital data services, when implemented correctly by the electronic device software author.

The mode is so named because most airlines prohibit the use of equipment that transmit RF signals while in flight. The Federal Communications Commission banned using most cell phones and wireless devices in 1991 because of interference concerns, although there is no scientific evidence of such.^{[1] [2]} Typically, it is not possible to make phone calls or send messages in airplane mode, but some smartphones allow calls to emergency services. Most devices allow continued use of email clients and other mobile apps to write text or email messages. Messages are stored in memory to transmit later, once airplane mode is disabled.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth can be enabled separately while the device is in a pseudo-airplane mode, as allowed by the operator of the aircraft.^{[3] [4]} Receiving RF signals (as by radio receivers and satellite navigation services) may not be inhibited by airplane mode; however, both transmitters and receivers are needed to receive calls and messages, even when not responding to them.

Since a device's transmitters are shut down when in airplane mode, the mode reduces power consumption and increases battery life.

Legal status in various nations

• Europe: On December 9, 2013, the European Aviation Safety Agency updated its guidelines on portable electronic devices (PEDs), allowing them to be used throughout the whole flight as long as they are set in Airplane mode.^[5] In November 2022, EU announced its plans to enable 5G usage in airplanes using picocell, letting users make and receive calls and messages, and use data just as they would on the ground.^{[6] [7]}
• China: Prior to September 2017, cell phones, even with airplane mode, were never allowed to be used during the flight although other devices can be used while in cruising altitude. On September 18, 2017, the Civil Aviation Authority of China relaxed these rules and allowed all Chinese air carriers to allow the use of Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) for the entire flight as long as they are in Aeroplane Mode.^[8]
• India: On April 23, 2014, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) amended the rule which bans use of portable electronic devices and allowing their usage in all phases of flight.^[9]
• United States: In a revised review in October 2013, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made a recommendation on the use of electronic devices in "airplane mode"—cellular telephony must be disabled, while Wi-Fi may be used if the carrier offers it. Short-range transmission such as Bluetooth is permissible on aircraft that can tolerate it. The statement cites the common practice of aircraft operators whose aircraft can tolerate use of these personal electronic devices, but use may still be prohibited on some models of aircraft.^[10]

See also

• Air gap (networking)
• Mobile phones on aircraft
• Picocell

Notes and References

1. Web site: Auerbach . Jon . Airlines ban cell phones -- but why? . ZDNET . en . October 4, 1999.
2. Web site: Hsu . Jeremy . The Real Reason Cell Phone Use Is Banned on Airlines . livescience.com . en . 21 December 2009.
3. Web site: iOS: Understanding airplane mode. If allowed by the aircraft operator and applicable laws and regulations, you can re-enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while in airplane mode. April 14, 2015. Apple Support.
4. Web site: Android: AIRPLANE_MODE_RADIOS. A comma separated list of radios that need to be disabled when airplane mode is on. This overrides WIFI_ON and BLUETOOTH_ON, if Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are included in the comma separated list..
5. News: Regulator confirms tablets safe to use during take-off. Jolyon. Attwooll. The Telegraph . February 5, 2016. www.telegraph.co.uk.
6. Web site: Muñoz . Ramón . 2022-11-29 . Europe says goodbye to 'airplane mode': Passengers can talk on the phone while flying . EL PAÍS . en-us.
7. News: 2022-12-02 . No more airplane mode? EU to allow calls on flights . en-GB . BBC News .
8. Web site: China's air passengers could soon be allowed to use smartphones. scmp.com. September 18, 2017 .
9. Web site: DGCA allows in-flight use of mobile phones, tablets on flight mode. April 23, 2014. indianexpress.com.
10. Web site: FAA to Allow Airlines to Expand Use of Personal Electronics. Federal Aviation Administration. October 31, 2014. Cell phones should be in airplane mode or with cellular service disabled—i.e., no signal bars displayed—and cannot be used for voice communications based on FCC regulations that prohibit any airborne calls using cell phones. If your air carrier provides Wi-Fi service during flight, you may use those services. You can also continue to use short-range Bluetooth accessories, like wireless keyboards. [...] The PED Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) concluded most commercial airplanes can tolerate radio interference signals from PEDs. In a recent report, they recommended that the FAA provide airlines with new procedures to assess if their airplanes can tolerate radio interference from PEDs. Once an airline verifies the tolerance of its fleet, it can allow passengers to use handheld, lightweight electronic devices—such as tablets, e-readers, and smartphones—at all altitudes.