During air travel, many passengers are faced with a ban on the use of mobile gadgets, and sometimes they are required to leave the devices in the luggage compartment. Such rules cause dissatisfaction among passengers and many questions, because almost no company explains the reasons for its appearance. So is it still possible to use a phone on an airplane, and what are the restrictions on mobile communications and the Internet?
Reasons for banning the use of phones
It is believed that Cell phones may interfere with aircraft navigation and radio systems, especially precision systems approach and ultra-high frequency stations
Previously, it was believed that mobile communications interfered with the operation of aircraft instruments, but scientists and simply curious passengers have experimentally proven that it is absolutely safe for electronics. But even after the results of the experiments were made public, many carriers left the ban on the use of gadgets in force. Experts explain the restriction by a number of factors that could cause inconvenience and trouble for the crew and passengers.
- Reinsurance against interference. Despite evidence that mobile gadgets do not interfere with on-board electronics; airlines try to protect as much as possible the equipment on which people’s lives depend. This decision is explained by the fact that even if 1-2 phones do not interfere with the operation of the devices, then 100 simultaneously turned on devices can create certain difficulties.
- Eliminating distractions. The takeoff and landing of the airliner, and especially non-standard situations on board, require complete composure and precise execution of the flight attendant’s commands. In emergency situations, even one delayed passenger, distracted by a conversation or social media, can cause serious trouble for himself and his neighbors.
- Elimination of conflicts. Some passengers may be annoyed by a fellow traveler who endlessly talks on the phone or takes selfies, which ultimately leads to unnecessary disputes and quarrels with an unpredictable ending.
- Passenger safety. During turbulence, bulky smartphones and tablets with large screens can turn into traumatic objects.
- Economic factor. Some ships have paid Wi-Fi on board, so the ban on the use of mobile networks is often explained by the desire to earn additional income.
Most major airlines have chosen Alternative option. They ask passengers to switch their phones to a special “Flight” mode or turn them off during takeoff and landing, and the rest of the time the gadgets can be used without restrictions.
Does the network catch on board?
Mobile communications on board is an expensive proposition for both telecom operators and passengers
Availability and quality telephone network on board aircraft depends on the country, airline and specific operator. Signal from ordinary mobile towers is inaccessible at high altitudes, so airliners are equipped with special base stations (picocells). They use to transmit signals satellite channels, and a significant disadvantage of such equipment is its high cost.
In order for subscribers to gain access to mobile networks, the operator must enter into a special agreement with the service provider. Accordingly, calls from the aircraft are made at a price international roaming and cost a hefty sum. Therefore, passengers use the service in rare cases, the costs of equipment are not recouped, and many airlines (including Aeroflot) simply refuse it.
Is it possible to charge a gadget on board?
Not all domestic aircraft models are equipped with sockets and USB connectors, which is why it is recommended to charge your phone at the airport before flying
The ability to charge a mobile gadget on board an aircraft depends on the class of aircraft:
- business class cabins are equipped not only with sockets, but also with USB connectors, which are installed near each seat;
- When flying in economy class, you need to clarify this issue before boarding - modern air carriers are trying to improve passenger comfort, but older models often lack sockets.
But when traveling on low-cost flights, it is better to take care of charging your phone in advance - such companies save on absolutely everything, so many useful services are not available on board.
How many phones can you carry on a plane?
To avoid getting into a difficult situation when transporting several mobile phones, you need to study the airline’s customs rules
To find out how many gadgets you can take on board, you need to familiarize yourself with the customs regulations of the country where the traveler is entering. If phones, tablets or other devices are intended for personal use and are not packaged in boxes, then even 2-3 units usually do not raise any questions. But 10 new identical models of gadgets in factory packaging can create trouble - the passenger will have to prove the lack of commercial interest, which will be extremely difficult.
Rules for using the gadget in different airlines
During takeoff and landing, the phone is asked to be turned off so that passengers are not distracted and can respond to an emergency situation.
Each airline has its own rules for using mobile gadgets on an airplane, which are best read in advance. The requirements of all Russian carriers are almost the same.
Aeroflot and Pobeda
Aeroflot and Pobeda companies ask passengers to turn off their mobile phones on the plane or switch them to special modes (Flight, Autonomous). Use gadgets with activated function Data transmission, including Bluetooth, is strictly prohibited. If the ship's commander suspects that devices are interfering with on-board equipment, he may request that all devices be turned off, with the exception of pacemakers and hearing aids. Some domestic airliners have a Wi-Fi service, but you can use it only when the “Turn off phones” sign is off.
"S7 Airlines"
Since 2016, the air carrier S7 Airlines has allowed passengers to use mobile gadgets if they are switched to a special “Flight” mode. The restriction on larger equipment (laptops) continues to apply during takeoff and landing, and the rest of the time it can be used with the data transfer function disabled.
"Nordwind"
On Nordwind flights, it is allowed to use mobile gadgets set to “Offline” or “Airplane Mode” at all stages of the air travel. During landing and flight, you can work on netbooks and laptops with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth functions turned off. All devices that do not have special modes that block data transfer, as well as wireless headphones, are prohibited. If the vessel is equipped with a sign that says “Turn off phones,” the devices are only allowed to be used when the device is not active.
During the flight, the passenger must strictly follow the rules established by the specific airline. It is not recommended to enter into conflict with the crew, as disputes will not yield any results. In addition, as punishment for violating security, the disputant will be given a fine or removed from the plane without compensation for the cost of the ticket.
One of the technical safety rules that raises the most questions is the request to turn off your mobile phone while flying on an airplane. Many people ignore this request, but do it thoughtlessly.
A phone turned on on board is actually useless and not particularly dangerous. But during takeoff and landing it is asked to be turned off in order to eliminate the slightest risk of failure electronic systems. The probability of occurrence is practically zero:
At an altitude of about 3 km, phones will lose the signal from ground stations and begin to actively search for it. If the devices of all passengers on board are turned on, this may affect the operation of highly sensitive aircraft instruments.
Besides:
- No one will call you anyway (why keep it on and drain the battery?)
- when “airplane mode” is turned on, all functions remain available (except calls and the Internet)
- due to theoretically possible interference, the pilot may not hear an important message from the controller
- During a hard landing, things flying around the cabin can cause injury to others. Therefore, tablets and laptops are asked to be removed.
What are the consequences of disobedience to the violator?
Failure to turn off the phone is not mandatory and is usually not checked. But in theory, for violations of safety rules, airlines can:
- prohibit movement on the aircraft;
- removed from the flight;
- cancel the ticket;
- recover in court a fine for the flight delay and the damage caused by this circumstance;
In a number of countries, they may simply take away the gadget for the duration of the flight.
Often an extremely effective preventive measure is chosen - the violating passenger ends up on the “black lists” of air carriers and is not able to purchase plane tickets for several years.
And if your switched-on phone causes losses for the airline, you may well be brought to civil or administrative liability.
Remember that if there is a threat of a crash, the violator may also incur criminal liability.
Of course, over time, the risks of using electronic devices on board are constantly decreasing, but passengers should strictly adhere to the rules of the airline whose services they use.
Various gadgets have become an almost integral part of modern man, helping us solve a variety of problems: from business issues and work to entertainment and communication. It is difficult to part with your beloved assistant even for an hour, but what to do if the flight takes 10 hours or more? This article is devoted to the question of whether it is possible to use a phone on an airplane and how to do it safely for others.
Just a few years ago, any airline in the world categorically did not welcome the use of electronic devices by passengers while flying on board their aircraft. It was impossible not only to turn it on, but also to take it with you - you just had to check it in as luggage.
Why are there such strict safety rules?
More than 30 years have passed since the release of the first cell phone, and after some time, mobile phones became commonplace. Soon there was a strict ban on their use during the flight.
Air carriers feared that radio signals emitted by mobile phones could interfere with the operation of aircraft electronic equipment. Phones operate in different frequencies, technologies are used in parallel wireless transmission data such as Bluetooth or infrared. The aviators were afraid that any of the mobile radio signals emitted could cause chaos in the strictly regulated electrical system of the aircraft. Moreover, when the phone is at altitude, it tries to “find” several base stations on the ground at once, thereby increasing the level and number of transmitted signals compared to normal use.
Important! Many years of research by scientists on this topic have not revealed a potential threat to the operation of a mobile phone on board an airplane. During experiments carried out on the ground and in the air, specialists tried to call and talk, and use the Internet.
All this led to the fact that, starting in 2013, a ban on cell phones, and with them tablets, laptops and others electronic devices was gradually withdrawn. But this hasn’t happened everywhere; there are airlines that still won’t allow you to use gadgets on board.
Additional factors that led to bans on mobile phones on planes were:
- The distracting effect that these devices have. Air travel is a complex and responsible undertaking, so each participant, including passengers, must be as concentrated as possible, especially during takeoff and landing, when entering a turbulence zone, or during emergency situations. The passenger's reaction speed must be appropriate to the moment, so all distracting objects are prohibited.
- The airline's desire to minimize any risks. Yes, scientific research suggests that phones are safe, but in aviation they often think differently. Even if there is the slightest chance that a mobile phone will disrupt the settings of the aircraft’s equipment or interfere with its operation in some other way, it is better to exclude this possibility and interference. Any hard landing, each accident brings serious reputational and material losses to airlines.
- Striving for unified flight regulations. The occurrence of conflicts between passengers during a flight is no less dangerous. It can lead to a quarrel or even a fight, an unscheduled landing, and this brings losses to carriers. Among us there are people who like to talk, especially if we need to kill time on the road. But how will long conversations affect the state of the neighbor, who is quite likely already on the verge of a nervous breakdown due to a fear of flying? The fewer unpredictable situations, the better, that’s what airlines think, and they are right in many ways.
The ability to use a mobile phone on an airplane depends on the airline's policy.
So is it possible to use a mobile phone on an airplane, since the ban has long been lifted?
Now each air carrier independently determines whether its passengers can use communications and other electronic devices during flights. If we generalize special cases geographically, we can distinguish three categories of airlines:
- Aviators of Europe. These are the most loyal companies to mobile phones and other gadgets. You can use devices on board, charge them, carry additional batteries in the cabin, etc. Complete freedom of action: you can take a photo, call your family, send a message, use the Internet, and so on.
- American carriers. They will allow you to keep your phone on, but you won’t be able to use it for communication. The flight attendants will strongly recommend that you switch your mobile phone to “Airplane mode”.
- Russian aviators are the most uncompromising and set strict rules. The mobile phone can be turned on only after the plane reaches an altitude of 3,000 thousand meters and above, and even then only in the “Flight” mode.
Regarding charging the phone - now more and more modern airlines are equipping passenger seats with connectors for connecting chargers and cords. The most common way to charge your device is to connect it to a socket using a USB cable.
Important! Try to work with your phone at minimum screen brightness. If the lights suddenly go out and the emergency lighting turns on, you will be more likely to find your way, your eyes will be more adapted to this level of illumination.
Time goes by and the rules change. A strict ban on the use of gadgets on board was replaced by a more loyal option for working in the “Flight” mode or even a complete carte blanche for owners mobile devices. The exact requirements for the transportation and use of phones during a flight are set by each airline independently.
“A new stylish phone, we need it everywhere.
Everyone needs him like water: to call back and forth.
Chat about this and that, or just be together.”
A mobile phone is a basic necessity these days. Without it, we don’t leave home, don’t travel, don’t board a train or plane. “Please turn off cell phones and do not turn them on until the plane has completely landed” - these are the words every traveler hears while sitting in a soft armchair on an airplane and preparing to take off.
But why can't you use your phone on a plane? Does this threaten the safety of the flight? Or is there another reason? Let's figure it out.
Expertise says
The airliner is distinguished by the complexity and precision of its electronic systems. For decades, it was believed that working mobile phones create interference signals that negatively affect the operation of the autopilot. They spoil the readings of air navigation equipment and interfere with ground services to monitor the flight and establish communications on aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration has commissioned a study by the Radio Engineering and Aviation Commission (RTCA) into the potential harm caused by telephones. The center's specialists studied the problem for seven years. Hundreds of thousands of flights were involved in the audit.
Laboratory research. All electronics generate radio frequency radiation. To determine the strength of cell phone radio waves, the researchers used a special spectrum analyzer and an insulated brass wire container (Faraday cage).
Inside the cage, the experimenters placed things that travelers take with them on board an airplane: an MP3 player, a game console and a CD player. Their radio emission turned out to be minimal. But when a cell phone was placed in the cage, the analyzer diagnosed a strong jump. Is a cell phone really the cause of malfunctions in the airliner’s systems?
This was the first, preliminary analysis. With the support of aerospace aviation engineer D. Gutau, specialists simulated an accurate model of radio communication between airport ground services and the airliner. Armed with a cellular generator, the researchers attempted to disrupt communications and create dangerous interference.
A radio generator creates radio waves of varying strengths. Thanks to the device, you can find out at what frequency the radio signal operates and what strength it must have in order to disrupt the operation of aircraft systems.
Initially, the tests took place on the GSM 1800 frequency (a common cell phone frequency). But the device did not detect the slightest distortion. All aircraft equipment functioned safely. But when the mobile phone was retuned to a frequency wave of 800-900 MHz, the analyzer showed a significant deviation in the operation of the aircraft navigation analyzer.
The experts' conclusion was as follows: mobile phones (and other devices) operating in the 800-900 MHz frequency interfere with the operation of aircraft equipment and affect the functioning of aircraft orientation systems.
This was the preliminary result. Now is the time to check your laboratory test data. field conditions, on practice.
Airplane tests. The surveyors moved to the take-off site, where they activated the analyzer in the operating airliner. For 12 hours they “bombarded” the air with radio frequency signals (they also used modern smartphones, and older models of the PCS standard).
Most of them supported a frequency of 800-900 MHz. But no interference or disruptions in the functioning of the airliner’s equipment were detected. Not a single cell phone interfered with the operation of aircraft systems.
The wires running through the cabin are shielded (protected from extraneous influences). Therefore, no signal from a mobile or other device can disrupt the aircraft’s operating system.
So, talking on the phone while traveling by air is safe? But why, even after verified, official testing, do flight attendants insist on turning off electronic devices during a flight?
Why is it forbidden to use a mobile phone?
In fact, you can use a cell phone. But not on all planes. Some airlines allow, others ask you to turn off your phone while flying. How to justify such a ban?
“It’s easier to ban”
Why turn off your phone? Airline owners are cautious. After all, today new models of gadgets are released every day, protocols and standards change. And aviation equipment does not stand still.
There is a theoretical possibility that a modern mobile phone could negatively affect the operation of navigation systems, create dangerous interference and provoke the crash of an airliner.
Constantly conducting new research is not economically profitable. It is easier to ban than to take moral responsibility for a possible disaster that occurred due to the fault of a working mobile phone.
In addition, airlines are afraid that passengers will learn during the flight about any negative incidents on the ground (aircraft accidents, terrorist attacks, personal tragedies). Such news can cause stress. And a person who is under the influence of factors that destroy the psyche becomes dangerous to others.
Comfort for everyone
I want to sit in the soft, comfortable chair of the airliner and forget about my problems, admiring the magical views of the clouds outside the porthole. Taste a delicious lunch brought by a beautiful flight attendant and relax. But a restless neighbor sits down next to him, chatting on the phone all the time. Or an excited madam loudly discussing the news with a friend.
Airlines are not interested in passenger complaints and their demands for quiet flights. And they are unlikely to want unnecessary conflict situations on board during the flight.
You can divide the cabins into those who like to chat on the phone and those who want to fly in silence, where they cannot turn on the phone (as in a cafe with existing smoking areas). It’s not difficult to organize such a separation, but why go to the extra trouble for the sake of a 2-3 hour flight? It is easier and cheaper to ban telephone conversations.
Conversations are distracting
The most dangerous moments during flight are takeoff and landing. And everything happens in the sky. At critical moments, the most important thing for passenger safety is to comply with the requirements of flight attendants. In dangerous situations, the main thing is well-functioning, organized and joint actions of passengers and crew members.
Imagine a situation where an unusual situation occurs on board. The pilot requires the attention of all passengers. And a good half of them are chatting on the phone or playing an online game. It will take 1-2 minutes to turn off your phones and log off the network. And in critical situations, seconds matter.
Sometimes seconds save a life. The specific arrangement of seats in an airliner is such that just one passenger who hesitates for a couple of seconds causes the entire row to collapse, blocking their movement.
And if dropped into an air pocket, turbulence or an emergency landing, dropped tablets and mobile phones become dangerous objects.
Have you noticed that during takeoff and landing, the lights in the Airbus cabin are turned off? This is not done so that passengers can admire the glow of the lights behind the window. The lighting in the cabin is dimmed so that crew members and passengers get used to the darkness and, in the event of an unusual situation, can better navigate the cabin.
And a traveler, with his eyes fixed on a bright screen, in a dangerous situation where he needs to move freely around the cabin, will turn into a “blind mole” and interfere with other people.
Economic factor
But if necessary, you will be allowed to urgently contact the ground, talk to your family, or make phone calls. True, not on his mobile phone, but by offering to use his own paid mobile connection. Do airlines want to make extra money by profiting from expensive calls?
Proponents of this theory are confident that airlines prohibit calls on personal mobile phones solely for selfish purposes. Additional profit is lost! This opinion is not without foundation. After all, any company or organization is interested in receiving dividends by installing access points in salons.
Everyone in business is looking for sources. additional income. So why not take advantage of this opportunity? 
So what happens if you make a call in the salon? Will they be fined, will their cell phone be taken away, will they be kicked off the flight? How do different airlines actually feel about using a phone on board their flights?
Rules on airplanes of different countries
In 2013, the agency responsible for air safety in America and Europe formally allowed the use of mobile phones on airplanes. Mobile phones received an amnesty. But the final word remained with the airline management. They have the right to dictate the rules.
Most airlines have opted for a middle ground, allowing limited use of phones. Passengers are not allowed to use mobile phones only during take-off and landing. During a flight, calls are allowed, but only if you switch your cell phone to “in-flight” mode.
This mode automatically turns off wireless modules during landing/takeoff, and during flight turns on Wi-Fi mode and allows the owner to use all the functionality of the gadget.
Europe. Since 2014, European airlines have allowed the use of digital devices (tablets, phones, cameras) throughout the flight in any mode. But Austrian Airlines decided to play it safe and left a ban on mobile phone calls during the entire flight.
Passengers were only allowed to use tablet devices and laptops (except for takeoff/landing). As representatives of Austrian airlines explained the ban, telephone service makes sense over long distances. And even a businessman who is always in a hurry can withstand a 2-3 hour flight without calls.
Baltic Airlines also joined them. Airbaltic completely prohibits its travelers from using mobile phones. The ban applies to tablets and PDAs during landing and takeoff.
The first European carrier to allow mobile communications on board an aircraft were representatives of the Arab airline Emirates. Arab planes are equipped with a special device that completely eliminates the influence of extraneous signals on navigation systems. The salons are equipped with a miniature station (“Pico-Sota”), providing satellite communications with land mobile operators.
USA. The main evidence that sets out the regulations for the use of electronic devices by travelers in flight: circular document 92.21-1A, issued in the fall of 2000. Most American air carriers obey these instructions. They sound like this:
During the flight, the following devices are allowed to be left on on board aircraft:
- Clock with digital display.
- Devices for the hearing impaired.
- Surgical implants (cardiac and nerve stimulators).
Devices that are allowed to be used before takeoff and upon landing:
- Computers of any type.
- Pagers, mobile phones and other means with the ability to send electronic texts.
During a flight at a given altitude (cruising flight), you can use: 
- GPS receivers.
- DVD, CD players.
- Digital cameras.
- Personal computers.
- Devices that allow you to send E-mail messages.
- Mobile phones switched to “game” mode on an airplane.
Russia. There are no such regulations in Russia. And the ban on the use of mobile phones in our country remains in force (but flight attendants do not strictly adhere to this rule and do not always force them to comply with it).
The head of the analytical company Flight Safety in the Sky, Valery Shelkovnikov, explains the ban on the use of mobile phones by the fact that no research has been conducted on this issue in Russia, unlike Western partners. Therefore, the ban remains in force and mobile phones must be turned off on airplanes.
Requirements regarding the rules of use cellular communication on board flights vary. Airline websites will help you get the hang of it to prepare for your flight. And don’t forget to listen carefully to the flight attendant while sitting in a comfortable chair in the airliner’s cabin. Before the flight, she will give all the necessary instructions and tell you the rules of behavior for passengers on board the flight and indicate whether you can use the phone.
Spoiler: nothing will break, the plane will not fall, but the topic is still controversial
Can I use cellular telephone on a flying plane? The topic is becoming increasingly hotly debated as airlines try to keep up with ever-changing technology. Usually, when we board a plane and fasten our seat belts, a flight attendant passes by, reminding us that we need to switch our phones to airplane mode or turn them off altogether. But what happens if you don't? The answer is unclear.
Let's start with the basic facts. Potential safety concerns arise from the fact that when you are above 3 km in altitude, the phone signal reaches a large number of communication towers and becomes very strong. This could overload networks on the ground. But there has never been a recorded case where a cell phone caused a plane crash.
“Of course, you can’t bring down a plane with a phone,” says former Boeing engineer Kenny Kirchoff. - The problem is different. The signal can interfere with instruments, complicating the work of pilots during critical parts of the flight. Taking off and landing requires maximum concentration from them and without electronic interference.”
As technology advances, these risks become increasingly obsolete. In 2014, the European Aviation Safety Association stated that electronic devices do not pose a threat to aircraft safety. But this statement was not an indication: it was up to the airlines to prove or not prove that their systems are not susceptible to the influence of mobile phones.
Many airlines have already completed this assessment and allow "on-board" calls through internal networks such as AeroMobile or On Air. These are usually large airlines: Emirates, Virgin Airlines, British Airways and 27 other carriers. The On Air network operates on board approximately half of all aircraft.
However, the US Civil Aviation Administration still prohibits cell phone conversations on board. " Voice communication prohibited on board our aircraft,” says Elizabeth Corey, the agency's PR specialist. - We banned mobile phones for security reasons. We ban anything that intentionally emits a signal, and cell phones are included in that list. It is up to the airline to demonstrate that the phone is not causing electronic interference to their instruments. But phones create interference.”
At the same time, a study conducted by the American Office in 2012 also concluded that “civil aviation authorities have not recorded a single case in which a cell phone would affect flight safety.”
In addition, you can install a miniature on board base station, which will allow passengers to use the phone while protecting electronics from interference.
“Modern electronics are designed to withstand failure,” says Allison Markey, an aviation security specialist. “There’s no magic sensor in the cockpit that tells you there’s a phone on somewhere on board.”
The ban on phones on board appeared about 20 years ago, and then protecting electronics from interference from land-based communication points was really a significant issue. There are now technologies that make available calls from an airplane. But this is all at the discretion of the airline. It is also at the discretion of the airline to develop any convenient rules for using the phone in the air: whether they will allow the Internet, SMS or calls on flights.
“The technology that allows you to fully use your phone on board an airplane has been around for a long time. The question is whether there is a demand for it,” says Markey. “Perhaps passengers will react to this not as an advantage, but as a disadvantage.” It’s already quite sad on long flights to find yourself in the next seat with an overly sociable or snoring passenger. Add the fact that your neighbor will probably spend the entire flight loudly discussing on the phone his emotions from the flight and turbulence or his niece’s new boyfriend - and you will understand that the result of allowing calls on board may not be positive at all.”
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