The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / What Really Happens If You Don't Put Your Phone On Airplane Mode?

**Posted by RadioActive** May 13, 2025 11:37 am

This isn't exactly radio related, but the cell phone component of it may be of interest to many here.

I've often wondered about the order to turn off your electronic devices, especially a cellphone, as a plane is taking off or landing. Why do they do it and what happens if you don't obey those orders? The answer may surprise you.

Here’s what actually happens when you don’t put your phone on airplane mode when flight attendants tell you to: aviation expert

**Posted by haydenmatthews14** May 13, 2025 5:09 pm

I put my phone on Airplane mode when going in the US to save money and avoid roaming charges. I heard it’s expensive when you get roaming charges from Bell or Rogers etc.

**Posted by vwjets** May 14, 2025 8:12 am

Emirates Airlines has its own cellular connectivity ("OnAir" provided by Inmarsat) available on its A380 (and possibly other models).

It VERY expensive, similar to roaming on a cruise ship.

I saw my carrier change on my phone while the plane was still parked on the apron at Pearson. The few minutes I was connected cost me $5.00 in roaming fees, before I switched to Airplane Mode.

Last edited by vwjets (May 14, 2025 8:15 am)

**Posted by Hansa** May 14, 2025 8:48 am

I believe older mobile phones caused interference with the aircraft and that this regulation is a legacy of that even though modern phones don't cause the same problems.

**Posted by RadioActive** May 14, 2025 9:08 am

What about radios? Do they cause problems with the onboard equipment if you turn one on?

**Posted by RadioAaron** May 14, 2025 9:14 am

RadioActive wrote:
What about radios? Do they cause problems with the onboard equipment if you turn one on?

I use one every time, and nobody has batted an eye. They never mention it in the announcements (which might be more of a case of “who would do that?)

If any of these things were real safety concerns, they’d be taking them from us at the gate, not politely asking us to switch them off.