The real reason to put the cell phone in airplane mode when we fly

We all know the string by heart: “Please make sure your seats are upright, trays folded, blinds up, laptops stowed in overhead bins, and electronics in airplane mode.”

Clearly the first four are reasonable, right? The blinds have to be up so we can see if there is an emergency, like a fire. The retractable tables must be folded and the seats in an upright position so that we can quickly get out of the seat if necessary. Laptop computers could become projectiles in an emergency, since the pockets on the seatbacks are not strong enough to contain them.

As for mobile phones, they have to be in airplane mode so they can’t cause interference with flight apparatus, right? Well, it all depends on who we ask.

technology has come a long way

Air navigation and its communications are based on radio systems, which since the 1920s have been optimized to minimize interference. As for the digital technology that is used today, it is much more advanced than the old analog technologies that were used up to 60 years ago.

Research has shown that personal electronic devices can emit signals within the same frequency band as aircraft navigation and communication systems, creating what is known as electromagnetic interference.

But in 1992, the US Federal Aviation Authority and Boeing, in an independent study, investigated whether the use of electronic devices caused interference on airplanes and found no problems with computers or other personal electronic devices during non-critical phases. of the flight (takeoffs and landings are considered critical phases).

The US Federal Communications Commission decided to create separate frequencies for different uses – mobile telephony, navigation and aircraft communications – so that they would not interfere with each other. Governments around the world developed the same strategies and policies to prevent interference. In the European Union, activated electronic devices have been allowed since 2014.

2.2 billion passengers

So, with these global regulations in place, why has the aviation industry continued to ban the use of mobile phones? One of the problems lies in something that may not be expected: interference terrestrial.

Wireless networks are connected by a series of towers that could be overloaded if passengers flying over these networks are using their phones at the same time. The number of passengers who flew in 2021 was more than 2.2 billion (half the number of passengers in 2019).

On the other hand, in recent years there has been a move to a new wireless communication standard. The current 5G networks –desirable for their higher data transfer speeds– have caused concern in the aviation industry.

The bandwidth of the radio frequencies is limited, and yet the effort continues to add more devices. The aviation industry points out that the bandwidth spectrum of the 5G wireless network is remarkably close to the bandwidth spectrum reserved for aviation, which could cause interference with navigation systems that assist aircraft landing.

Airport operators in Australia and the United States have expressed concerns about aviation security in relation to the rollout of 5G, although it appears that in the European Union it has been launched without problems. In any case, it seems prudent to limit mobile phone use on planes while 5G-related issues are cleared up.

Ultimately, we cannot forget aggressiveness

Currently, most airlines offer paid or free Wi-Fi services to their customers. With new Wi-Fi technologies, passengers could, in theory, use their mobile phones to make video calls with friends or clients during the flight.

On a recent trip, I spoke to a flight attendant and asked her thoughts on phone use during flights. She stated that it would be inconvenient for the cabin crew to have to wait for passengers to finish their calls to ask if they would like something to eat or drink. On a plane with more than 200 passengers, inflight service would take much longer to complete if everyone is on the phone.

For me, the problem with the use of phones during the flight has more to do with the social experience of having more than 200 people on a plane talking at the same time. In an age where disruptive passenger behaviour, including aggressiveness, is becoming more prevalent, in-flight phone use could be another trigger that completely changes the flight experience.

Disruptive behavior takes many forms, from failing to comply with safety requirements, such as not wearing a seatbelt, to verbal altercations with fellow passengers and cabin crew, to physical altercations with passengers and crew cabin, which are usually identified as air rage (air aggressiveness).

In conclusion, the use of telephones during the flight does not currently affect the operation of the aircraft. But cabin crew prefer not to delay in providing in-flight services to all passengers: that’s a lot of people to care for.

However, 5G technology is affecting the radio bandwidth of aircraft navigation systems; we need more research to know how 5G interferes with aircraft navigation during landings. Let’s remember that when we talk about the two most critical phases of the flight, takeoffs are optional, but landings are mandatory. (YO)

• Doug Drury
• Professor/Head of Aviation, CQUniversity Australia