Why are you not allowed to text on a plane?

It's a concern rather than a fact that phones could radiate energy which in turn could cause interference with aeronautical systems, said David Russell, COO of OnAir, a Swiss company that provides several European, Middle Eastern and Asian airlines with air-to-ground communication systems.



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The short answer: yes and no. Passengers are still not allowed to use their cellular connection to text on a plane, but since October 2013 the use of devices like iPhones and tablets is allowed on flights within the U.S., provided they're in airplane mode while taxiing and in the sky.

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It just isn't possible, plus it's illegal (according to the FCC). Cell signals fade out as one gains altitude. It's possible to send and receive texts at low altitudes, but eventually the signal goes away.

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In-flight voice calls remain illegal Note that this doesn't just include calls made via cell towers. In-air FaceTime and Skype calls are also illegal.

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“Mobile phone signals can interfere with aircraft navigational and landing guidance systems.” The relationship between phone signals and navigational systems is not an exact science, which is why everyone we spoke to was careful in their language.

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 Thanks to advancements in technology, we're seeing better speeds — but plenty of aircraft still rely on outdated equipment, so you'll be waiting a while for that Facebook feed to load.

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Most airlines will allow you to use your mobile phone in airplane mode once the aircraft reaches a safe altitude. Airplane mode disables the cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth functionalities of your device, ensuring it does not interfere with the aircraft's communication and navigation systems.

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You can listen to downloaded music, play games, write notes, view pictures, and do any other activities on your mobile device as long as they do not require an internet connection. An internet or cellular connection is only required for in-flight calls, video calls, online games, streaming, and text messaging.

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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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To provide Wi-Fi, planes need to have a satellite antenna, a network modem, and a number of wireless access points around the interior, says Jeff Sare, vice president of in-flight connectivity solutions at Panasonic Avionics Corporation. And all that hardware has to be maintained in addition to installed.

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For now, switching to airplane mode is a federal requirement on U.S. domestic flights. You must disable wireless transmission functions such as cellular voice and data.

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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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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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