This is the reason you really do need aeroplane mode on while flying

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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Passengers questioning directives to turn phones to aeroplane mode mid-flight are on the rise, but it turns out there really is a very good reason for it.

We all know someone who’s forgotten to put their phone on aeroplane mode while flying, and they proclaim nothing happened. In fact, claims there is no need for aeroplane mode on flights have been on the rise for years.

But now, a slightly fed-up U.S. pilot has taken to social media to explain why switching your phones to aeroplane mode is actually extremely important for the crew flying your plane.

two pilots in a cockpit flying a plane
Pilots really need you to turn on aeroplane mode. (Image: Getty/ Maravic)

“This is just a friendly PSA that the aeroplane mode button on your phone is not a conspiracy," began the pilot, known online as PerchPoint.

“If you have an aircraft with 70, 80, 150 people on board and even three or four people’s phones start to try making a connection to a radio tower or for an incoming phone call, it sends out radio waves," he explained.

“There’s a potential that those radio waves can interfere with the radio waves of the headset that the pilots are using."

person taking a photo out of the plane window while in flight
Take photos, don’t send messages. (Image: Getty/ Hakinmhan)

He then gave a very real example, for anyone who wants to brush off the problem.

“Last night in San Francisco, we had pushed off the gate," he recalled. “We were talking to the rappers, we disconnected from the tug, started the engines and then once we got the plane turned around we started to head towards the taxiways."

“I called up ground to get our clearance as to which direction we had to go. And as soon as we start getting directions, there’s this really annoying buzz going through the headset and it kind of sounds like there’s a mosquito in my ear."

@perchpoint The more ya know, yanno? #fyp #aviation ♬ original sound – PerchPoint

So no, the result won’t necessarily be disastrous. The pilot even said, “The plane won’t fall out of the sky, and it won’t even mess with the systems on board." But how would you like to do your work with a bug in your ear?

“It’s not the end of the world, but it’s definitely pretty annoying when you’re trying to copy down instructions and it sounds like there’s a wasp or something flying around you."

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather the pilot of my next flight be able to concentrate fully on the task at hand. So let’s keep the phones in aeroplane mode.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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    Video credit: Tourism Australia

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    The colours of Lake Tyrrell blend into the sky. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

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    Lake Bringalert
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    Lake Lascelles
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