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.

The restriction on phone calls during flight is primarily rooted in concerns over cellular network integrity and potential electromagnetic interference with aircraft systems. At cruising altitudes, a mobile device moves at high speeds and can "see" numerous cell towers simultaneously. If thousands of passengers attempted calls, it could overwhelm the ground-based switching centers as the devices rapidly hand off signals between towers. Furthermore, aviation authorities like the FAA and FCC have historically been cautious about radio frequency interference with sensitive cockpit instruments, navigation systems, and communication arrays. While modern aircraft are better shielded and many offer Wi-Fi calling, the ban persists partly to maintain a quiet, orderly cabin environment and prevent the social friction that would inevitably arise if hundreds of people were talking loudly in a confined space for several hours.