Why Can't You Use Phones On Planes?
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Promos
We're told not to make phone calls while airborne - but is there a real reason for it? Share your mouse and keyboard between multiple computers with Synergy! Save 50% here: symless.com Techquickie Merch Store: designbyhumans.com Techquickie Movie Poster: shop.crowdmade.com Leave a comment with your requests for future episodes, or tweet them here: twitter.com Follow: twitter.com Join the community: linustechtips.com License for image used: creativecommons.org
The video explains the historical and technical reasons behind why passengers are told to turn off or set their devices to airplane mode on flights. It starts by tracing regulatory origins back to 1991 when the FCC restricted phone use on planes due to concerns that radio waves from cell phones could interfere with critical air traffic control communications. The host highlights how avionics have improved over time and notes that there has never been definitive evidence linking portable consumer electronics to crashes, which led to a relaxation of rules in 2013 allowing non-transmitting devices to be used during flight. The discussion then contrasts takeoff and landing,the most fragile phases of flight,with cruising altitude, where the risk is reduced and in-flight WiFi has become more common. The segment concludes with the FCC chair’s preference for preserving a quiet environment at 30,000 feet and the possibility that future inflight connectivity might take on new forms, such as cellular data services, while phones themselves remain restricted to non-transmitting modes. The second paragraph shifts to practical implications and consumer experience. It explains what airplane mode does and why some calls remain unavailable, despite widespread inflight WiFi options. The video touches on regulatory nuances, including frequencies allocated for cellular connections to minimize interference and the ongoing tension between safety rules and potential business models for in-flight communications. It also briefly promotes practical tips for viewers, such as using devices for offline entertainment and, more tangibly, introducing software solutions that simplify multi-device workflows. The overall takeaway is that the rule exists more for regulatory stability and passenger comfort than for immediate safety concerns, with a nod to ongoing debates about how many connectivity services airlines will ultimately offer.
Topics · science and technology · aviation · policy and regulation · in-flight connectivity
Questions answered
- Why were phones banned on planes in the first place?
- Bans originated from concerns that radio waves from cell phones could interfere with critical air traffic control and avionics, though evidence linking phones to crashes is not definitive.
- Has the rule changed recently?
- Yes, in 2013 the FCC relaxed rules to allow use of non-transmitting devices during flight, with airplane mode required for transmitting capabilities.