Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in December 2024.
The next time a flight attendant tells passengers to activate airplane mode, there may be more to the request than simply following a routine preflight instruction.
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An airline pilot and U.S. Army veteran recently explained in a widely viewed TikTok video why passengers should take the setting seriously, even though forgetting to activate it is unlikely to cause an aircraft to suddenly lose control.
The pilot, who posts under the username @perchpoint, said the concern centers on possible interference with communications equipment used by pilots.
He explained that a few passengers leaving their phones connected to cellular networks can potentially create problems for pilots using their headsets. With dozens or even hundreds of passengers aboard a flight, the number of active phones can quickly add up.
According to the pilot, when a phone remains connected to a cellular network and attempts to handle an incoming call or other communication, it can transmit radio-frequency signals. Those signals can potentially interfere with the audio pilots hear through their headsets.
The result, he said, can be an irritating buzzing or similar noise that makes radio communications harder to understand.
The pilot recalled experiencing the issue firsthand during a flight departing San Francisco. After the aircraft left the gate, disconnected from the tug and started moving toward the taxiways, he contacted ground control to receive instructions.
That’s when an unexpected buzzing sound began coming through his headset.
He compared the noise to the sound of a mosquito buzzing near his ear and said the interference became particularly frustrating while he was attempting to receive important instructions.
The problem may not prevent pilots from operating an aircraft, but even a temporary disruption can make communications more difficult when crews need to clearly hear instructions from air traffic controllers and other personnel.
The video prompted a wave of reactions from viewers, many of whom said they had never realized that airplane mode could serve a purpose beyond conserving battery life or complying with airline rules.
Some commenters said they activate the setting every time they fly because they would rather eliminate even a potential source of interference.
Others urged airlines to explain the reasoning behind the request more clearly so passengers understand why the instruction matters.
Several people also shared similar experiences involving wireless devices interfering with professional communications equipment. One commenter recalled hearing disruptive sounds through theater communication systems when someone nearby received a call or message
Another said cellphones had caused noticeable buzzing during radio broadcasts.
Federal aviation rules also address cellphone use in the air. The Federal Aviation Administration says cellular connections must be disabled or devices placed in airplane mode during flight because cellphone transmissions can potentially interfere with aircraft systems.
So while leaving a phone connected is not expected to send a plane plummeting from the sky, the pilot’s message is straightforward: following the airplane-mode instruction can help reduce unnecessary radio interference and keep cockpit communications clear.
For passengers, activating the setting takes only a few seconds — making it asmall step that could help avoid a very annoying problem at 30,000 feet.
