Why are calls not allowed on flights?

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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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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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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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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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 Thanks to advancements in technology, we're seeing better speeds — but plenty of aircraft still rely on outdated equipment, so you'll be waiting a while for that Facebook feed to load.

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Why are airplane passengers asked to put their phones in airplane mode? Per the FAA website's Safety Information page, “The FCC and FAA ban cell phones for airborne use because its signals could interfere with critical aircraft instruments. Devices must be used in airplane mode or with the cellular connection disabled.

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For the moment, the range of activities is still pretty limited. You can use your personal electronics — music players, tablets, e-readers and so on — during all phases of flight, but that comes with several caveats.

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Putting your phone in Airplane mode is an alternative for anyone who doesn't want to switch off their phone completely. For example to listen to music during the flight. Switching on Airplane mode makes the device OK to use in an airplane. You no longer have to turn it off.

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JetBlue and Delta are currently at the top of the crop when it comes to their in-flight Wi-Fi offerings.

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Airplane Wi-Fi can work over the ocean, but the plane has to use a different method than the one used over land. Over large bodies of water, a plane will connect to satellites that in turn connect to ground stations. You may notice slight delays when using Wi-Fi while traveling over the ocean.

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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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