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CNN—We all know the drill: “Please make sure your seats are in the upright position, tray tables are stowed, window shades are up, laptops are stored in the overhead bins, and electronic devices are on flight mode.” The first four requests seem reasonable, don’t they? We need the window shades up to address emergencies like fires, the seats and tray tables need to be stowed to evacuate quickly, and laptops can become dangerous objects when thrown around during emergencies. And putting electronic devices on flight mode ensures they don’t interfere with airplane systems, right? Well, it depends on who you ask.
Aviation relies on radio services for navigation and communication, and efforts have been made since the 1920s to minimize interference. The current digital technology is much more advanced than the older analog systems previously used. Research has shown that personal electronic devices can emit signals within the same frequency band as the aircraft’s communication and navigation systems, causing electromagnetic interference. However, an independent study conducted by the US Federal Aviation Authority and Boeing in 1992 found no issues with computers or personal electronic devices during non-critical phases of flight. (Takeoffs and landings are considered critical phases.)
To prevent interference problems, the US Federal Communications Commission and governments around the world have implemented strategies and policies, including reserving frequency bandwidths for different uses. The European Union has allowed electronic devices to remain on since 2014. So why does the aviation industry still ban the use of mobile phones? Surprisingly, one of the issues lies in ground interference. Wireless networks are connected through towers, and if all passengers on flights above these networks were using their phones, the networks could become overloaded. With over 2.2 billion passengers in 2021 (half of 2019’s numbers), wireless companies have valid concerns.
The introduction of 5G wireless networks, known for their high-speed data transfer, has also raised concerns within the aviation industry. The wireless network’s bandwidth spectrum is dangerously close to the reserved aviation spectrum, raising the possibility of interference with navigation systems near airports. Although airport operators in Australia and the US have expressed safety concerns, the European Union has implemented 5G without problems. Nonetheless, it is wise to limit mobile phone use on planes until the issues with 5G are resolved.
Most airlines now offer pay-as-you-go or free Wi-Fi services to passengers. With new Wi-Fi technologies, passengers could potentially use their mobile phones to make video calls during flights. However, cabin crew members find this inconvenient as it would slow down the in-flight service. On a plane with 200+ passengers, completing the in-flight service would take a lot longer if everyone was making phone calls. For me, the issue with in-flight phone use goes beyond convenience. With over 200 people potentially talking at once, it disrupts the social experience of flying. In a time when disruptive passenger behavior like “air rage” is increasing, phone use during flights could be a trigger that worsens the overall flight experience.
To conclude, using phones in-flight currently does not affect the aircraft’s operations. However, cabin crews may prefer not to be delayed in providing in-flight service to all passengers due to the sheer number of people they have to serve. Nevertheless, as 5G technology encroaches on the radio bandwidth used by aircraft navigation systems, more research is needed to determine its impact on landings. It’s important to remember that while takeoffs are optional, landings are mandatory.
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