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Have you ever been curious to know what will happen if you don't put your phone on airplane mode during a flight? A pilot's disclosure has brought back the conversation on the actual perils and facts behind the popular in-flight regulation.

One pilot by the name @PerchPoint on TikTok has become viral for discussing why it is still necessary to turn on airplane mode despite it being 2025. In his viral video, he explains that it won't make the plane crash if one forgets to flip it, but it will result in annoying interference for pilots. “If you forget to put your phone on airplane mode, the plane will not fall out of the sky. But it can mess with the headsets,” the pilot explained, adding that the buzzing sound in the cockpit can distract pilots when they need clear instructions, especially during critical moments like takeoff and landing.

Why Airlines And FAA Enforce The Rule?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires passengers to change devices to airplane mode to avoid possible interference with communication and navigation systems. Although the likelihood of serious disruption is very low, the possibility of several phones looking for signal can create overlapping radio waves that influence cockpit sound. Industry experts agree the rule is more about reducing possible distractions than preventing disasters. “It’s not life or death, but it’s courtesy and compliance,” veteran pilot Gary Coxe said this to Travel + Leisure.

Surprisingly, UK and EU airlines permit passengers to remain connected in the air. Due to onboard devices known as a picocell, a compact cell tower within the plane travellers can access 5G without interfering with cockpit systems. The EU actually made in-flight 5G mandatory in June 2023. But US airlines are behind because of fears that American 5G frequencies will disrupt aircraft instruments. The FAA has not updated airplane mode policy since 2017 and still adheres to FCC guidance from 1991.

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Legal Trouble And Fines For Ignoring Airplane Mode

Though no plane has ever crashed because a phone was left in standard mode, passengers who disobey crew requests are in for trouble. In 2016, a British traveler was fined more than USD 600 for not turning off his phone. Another was escorted from a flight in 2018 for refusing to comply with the rule after a dispute with a flight attendant. Passengers should also know that keeping your phone in airplane mode saves battery. If left on, your phone will endlessly search for a signal thousands of feet above ground, draining power fast. Regardless of whether you fly every day or once a year, professionals recommend agreeing when the staff announces, "Switch your phone to airplane mode, please." It's a simple step that prevents unnecessary trouble for pilots and smooths your travel.

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So the next time you're getting on a flight, pack your bags, strap yourself in, and hit that wee airplane symbol. It's safe for flight safety, your phone battery, and the tranquility of mind of all on board.