Can You Use Your Phone During a Flight? Airplane Mode Rule

Can you use your phone during a flight? Conditionally yes: you can use it if you switch it to Airplane Mode; cellular data transmission must not be left on during the flight. How a phone in Airplane Mode can be used is decided by each airline according to its own procedure. Below are the details of the rule, exceptions, steps and a checklist.

In brief

• Phones in flight are used with Airplane Mode on; cellular data transmission is not left on during the flight.
• The use of a phone in Airplane Mode is decided by each airline according to its own procedure; check your airline's rule.
• EASA's 2014 decision does not mean phone calls are allowed onboard.
• On aircraft with an MCA system, data may only be enabled at certain phases; wait for the cabin announcement.

The essence of the rule: phones must be switched to Airplane Mode

The basic rule is clear: portable electronic devices that transmit cellular data, including mobile phones, must be switched to Airplane Mode during the flight. The framework is set by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM). Airplane Mode cuts off the phone's network signal transmission. Functions that do not require a network, such as clock, alarm and downloaded content, generally continue to work.

The rule has two aspects:

• Cellular data transmission must be off. The phone must be switched to Airplane Mode.
• How it is used depends on the airline. The use, during the flight, of phones that have been switched to Airplane Mode is decided by each airline according to its own procedure.

So the rule requires the phone to be switched to Airplane Mode. Check your airline's current rule to find out which device can be used in what way at which flight phase. If the cabin crew gives an instruction, following it is the safest approach.

What varies by airline

The rule framework is common, but implementation can differ from airline to airline. The decision on how phones switched to Airplane Mode may be used rests with each company itself. That is why, when flying with two different airlines, the announcement text or the instruction during takeoff and landing may differ.

If the aircraft has an MCA system

If the airline provides an MCA system on the aircraft, it may allow cellular data transmission at certain phases of the flight. This permission does not cover every phase; which phase and which services may be enabled is determined by the airline. If no such system is provided, the Airplane Mode requirement applies for cellular data transmission.

What you should check

• Device usage notes in your ticket and reservation email
• The passenger information page on the airline's website
• In-cabin announcements and the safety card behind the seat

Do not make assumptions in uncertain situations; ask the flight attendant. Check your airline's current rule for details regarding the phases.

What the EASA decision changed, and what it did not

The European Aviation Safety Agency, EASA, removed the use of portable electronic devices throughout the entire flight from the scope of the ban with its announcement dated 26 September 2014, leaving the final decision to the airlines.

This announcement is often misread. What the decision says is this:

• The use of portable electronic devices throughout the flight is not under a general ban.
• The final decision on the use of devices is given by the airline.

What the decision does not say is this: phone calls onboard were not allowed. The decision does not free up phone calls.

Flying with an airline in Europe does not mean that the company allows all forms of use. The company's own rule is determinative.

Exceptions and common mistakes

The mistakes passengers make are generally the same and preventable.

• Forgetting to switch the phone to Airplane Mode. Turn the mode on before boarding; handle it in the waiting area rather than trying to remember once the door is closed.
• Manually turning on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth after Airplane Mode. Their use depends on the airline's decision. Check the cabin announcement.
• Trying to make a voice call onboard. The EASA announcement does not mean phone calls are allowed onboard; follow the airline's rule and the cabin crew's instruction.
• Skipping power bank and battery carrying rules. Baggage rules are a separate topic under this heading; check your airline's current rule for power bank and battery carrying conditions.
• Arguing with the cabin crew's instruction. If asked to put away or turn off the device, comply.

As an exception, some aircraft may have an MCA system and cellular data transmission may be allowed at certain phases. This information may not be written on the reservation; wait for the cabin announcement and do not turn off Airplane Mode unless announced.

Step by step: using your phone correctly during the flight

The sequence is simple and becomes automatic once you get used to it.

1. Before leaving home, download offline content: movies, music, maps, boarding pass, hotel reservation.
2. At the airport, charge your phone. There may be no charging opportunity during the flight.
3. Before boarding, turn on Airplane Mode. See the airplane icon on the screen, confirm that the network bars have disappeared.
4. Listen to cabin announcements. Instructions about Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or screen use are given there.
5. During takeoff and landing, if the cabin crew asks you to put away the device, comply immediately.
6. After landing, learn from the cabin announcement when you can turn off Airplane Mode. Then check carrier messages and roaming alerts.

This flow is suitable for both the rule and the cabin order. The first sign that you are complying with the rule is the airplane icon on your screen; check this before passing through the door.

Checklist for when buying tickets and before setting off

The phone rule is not visible at the ticket-buying stage, but it may affect your choice. If you will be working during the flight or taking a long journey, compare device and internet options on the passenger information page. You can use the search for flight tickets page to see flights, then check each company's own page for device usage notes.

Checklist before setting off

• Is the phone fully charged and ready to switch to Airplane Mode?
• Are the boarding pass, reservation and necessary documents accessible offline?
• Has the airline's device usage page been checked?
• Are your headphones wired or wireless? For wireless, has the airline's rule been checked?
• Is your carrier's international roaming setting ready for after landing?
• If there is a missing visa or document, was the process completed before the flight? If your visa application was refused, see the what to do after a visa refusal guide.
• If you will drive a vehicle in the destination country, are your international driving permit documents ready?

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to turn off my phone on the plane?

The rule requires devices that transmit cellular data to be switched to Airplane Mode during the flight. The use of phones that have been switched to Airplane Mode is decided by the airline. If the cabin crew asks you to turn off the device, follow the instruction.

Can you make phone calls on a plane?

EASA's announcement dated 26 September 2014 removed the use of portable devices throughout the flight from the scope of the ban, but this does not mean phone calls onboard are allowed. Check your airline's current rule for implementation on aircraft with an MCA system.

Can you listen to music and watch movies in Airplane Mode?

The use, during the flight, of phones switched to Airplane Mode is decided by each airline according to its own procedure. Takeoff and landing instructions may vary by company. Check your airline's current rule.

Can you use mobile internet on a plane?

If the airline provides an MCA system on the aircraft, it may allow cellular data transmission at certain phases of the flight. If no such permission exists, the phone must remain in Airplane Mode. Follow the cabin announcement and the airline's information.

Can Bluetooth headphones be used on a plane?

There is no verified general rule on this; the decision depends on the airline. If unsure, check your airline's current rule, carry wired headphones, or ask the flight attendant.

What happens if I forget Airplane Mode?

The rule requires devices that transmit cellular data to be switched to Airplane Mode during the flight. If you notice, switch the phone to Airplane Mode immediately. As a precaution, check the airplane icon on the screen before boarding.

Sources

• Portable Electronic Devices — web.shgm.gov.tr
• About the Use of Mobile Phones on Aircraft... — web.shgm.gov.tr