While it depends on your device, most modern phones allow you to use Wi-Fi even when in airplane mode. When you enable airplane mode, Wi-Fi will shut off, but you can enable it again manually. In some cases, Wi-Fi might not shut off when you turn on airplane mode in the first place.

In 2026, having both Airplane Mode and Wi-Fi turned on allows you to stay connected to the internet while completely disabling your cellular radio. When you toggle Airplane Mode "On," the device's hardware for Cellular, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi is initially cut off to prevent interference with aircraft communication systems. However, you can then manually turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth back "On" without re-enabling the cellular antenna. This is the standard procedure for using In-Flight Wi-Fi provided by airlines like Delta or JetBlue. The primary benefit is that your phone will not attempt to "hunt" for a cell tower while flying at 35,000 feet, which saves a significant amount of battery life. Furthermore, if you are traveling internationally, this configuration is a "fail-safe" to prevent accidental roaming charges, as the cellular modem cannot receive calls or data through your carrier. You can still use Wi-Fi calling, WhatsApp, and iMessage through the local Wi-Fi network, making your device a fully functional internet communicator while remaining "radio silent" on the cellular bands.