Can I call on an airline?

Cellular calls are not allowed on domestic airlines, but lots of international airlines, including British Airways, Emirates, and Etihad allow fliers to chat on a voice call in addition to texting and browsing the web. So far, there have been no major incidents traced to the fact that phone calls are allowed.



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Can I text on an airplane? Yes, but only using a Wi-Fi connection. The ban on using a cellular connection means passengers can't send SMS texts. Any communication has to be over Wi-Fi with a messaging app that provides similar functionality like iMessage, WhatsApp, or Viber.

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International Airlines Permitting Voice Calls, Texting and Data
  • Aer Lingus. Long haul. — X. X.
  • Aeroflot. A320, A330, B777. X. X. X.
  • Air Asia. Select short-haul flights. X. X. X.
  • Air France. Select long haul B77-300. — X. X.
  • Azerbaijan Airlines. A320. X. X. X.
  • British Airways. A318. X. X. X.
  • EgyptAir. A330. X. X. X.
  • Emirates. Long haul to/from Dubai. X. X.


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To prevent disruption to the cellular phone network from the effects of fast-moving cell phones at altitude (see Technical discussion, below), the FCC has banned the use of mobile phones on all aircraft in flight.

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To text while flying, you'll need to use a messaging app like WhatsApp, Apple iMessage, WeChat or Facebook Messenger. These Over The Top applications don't require a cellular network connection and instead send messages through the internet.

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But that doesn't mean there is zero risk. If you do not turn off your cell phone, it has the potential to interfere with navigation instruments, Dan Bubb, a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a former airline pilot, tells Travel + Leisure.

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Plenty of airlines offer Wi-Fi on flights, but not all service is created equal. Thanks to advancements in technology, we're seeing better speeds — but plenty of aircraft still rely on outdated equipment, so you'll be waiting a while for that Facebook feed to load.

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Airplane Mode turns off your device's ability to connect to cellular networks (meaning it can no longer send or receive calls or texts, or use data). As it is no longer accessing local cellular networks, it will not be charged roaming fees (caused by your device connecting to networks outside its home region).

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The ban over the use of electronic devices in-flight has often been attributed to the possibility of electronic interference with flight equipment in the modern an era of fly-by-wire planes, which control flight systems using electronic signals rather than physical movement of connect cables.

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No. Currently, we do not offer Wi-Fi on our flights.

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If he put it on flight mode, put it in his pocket and never took it out while you were together, it's likely he just doesn't want interruptions to his time with you. Even then, it would be more common to put it on silent, so that he could check from time to time that he could see who had been contacting them.

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While you're not allowed to talk on the phone in-flight, you may be tempted to pick up a call before or after takeoff. If you must answer it (maybe you're expecting news from a doctor, or a loved one needs help), “avoid cell yell,” Whitmore says. “Keep your voice to a conversational tone . . . and keep the call brief.”

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Not only will the signals cause interference with airplane navigation, but the effort it takes your cell phone to keep scanning and tower hopping at fly-by speeds will also drain your battery and still not maintain a constant signal.

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QUICK ANSWER You can use AirPods on a plane by turning on Airplane mode on your phone to deactivate its cellular radio. Then turn on Bluetooth to connect your AirPods for uninterrupted enjoyment during your flight.

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