The standard pre-flight announcement we hear every time we board a plane includes a set of instructions that have become second nature to most of us: “Please make sure your seats are upright, tray tables are stowed, window shades are up, laptops are stored in the overhead compartment, and electronic devices are switched to flight mode.”

Of these instructions, the first four are fairly self-explanatory. Keeping the window shades open allows us to observe any potential emergency situations such as a fire, while stowing tray tables and ensuring that seats are upright allows for a quick exit from the row. As for laptops, they can easily become airborne during an emergency as the seat pockets are not sturdy enough to hold them in place.

The requirement to set mobile phones to flight mode to avoid any emergency for the airplane is a common belief. However, whether this is actually necessary is a subject of debate.

Great strides have been made in technology

Aviation navigation and communication have long depended on radio services that have been organized to minimize interference since the 1920s. However, the digital technology employed today is far more advanced than some of the older analog technologies used as recently as 60 years ago. Studies have demonstrated that personal electronic devices can generate a signal within the same frequency band as the aircraft's communication and navigation systems, causing electromagnetic interference.

During non-critical phases of flight, the US Federal Aviation Authority and Boeing conducted an independent study in 1992 to investigate the potential interference of electronic devices on aircraft. The study found that there were no issues with computers or other personal electronic devices, but takeoffs and landings are still considered the critical phases.

Different governments around the world developed policies and strategies to prevent electronic devices from interfering with aviation. The US Federal Communications Commission, for instance, created reserved frequency bandwidths for different uses, such as mobile phones and aircraft navigation and communications, to avoid interference. Similarly, the EU has allowed electronic devices to remain on since 2014.

2.2 billion individuals who traveled as passengers

Despite the existence of global standards, the aviation industry has upheld the prohibition of mobile phone usage during flights. The reason behind this seemingly outdated policy stems from an unexpected factor: ground interference.

The connectivity of wireless networks is reliant on a chain of towers. In the event that all passengers on a flight use their phones over these ground networks, the networks could potentially become overloaded. In 2021, the number of passengers who traveled by air was over 2.2 billion, which is only half of the total number in 2019. This raises a valid argument on the part of wireless companies.

Undoubtedly, the migration to a novel standard is the most significant transformation in mobile networks in recent times. The latest 5G wireless networks, which are sought-after for their faster data transfer rates, have raised apprehensions among numerous players in the aviation sector.

The amount of radio frequency bandwidth is finite, and despite this, we keep attempting to accommodate more new devices within it. The aviation industry emphasizes that the bandwidth spectrum of 5G wireless networks is alarmingly close to the reserved bandwidth spectrum of aviation. This proximity may lead to interference with navigation systems near airports that aid in the landing of aircraft.

While airport operators in Australia and the US have expressed concerns regarding aviation safety linked to the rollout of 5G, it seems that such issues have not surfaced in the European Union where 5G has been launched. Nevertheless, it would be judicious to restrict mobile phone usage on flights until the problems associated with 5G are resolved.

In the end, air rage cannot be overlooked

Most airlines now provide customers with Wi-Fi services that are either pay-as-you-go or free. With new Wi-Fi technologies, passengers could theoretically use their mobile phones to make video calls with friends or clients in-flight.

On a recent flight, I spoke with a cabin attendant and asked her opinion on phone use during flights. It would be an inconvenience for cabin crew to wait for passengers to finish their call to ask them if they would like any drinks or something to eat, she stated. On an airliner with 200+ passengers, in-flight service would take longer to complete if everyone was making phone calls.

For me, the problem with in-flight use of phones is more about the social experience of having 200+ people on a plane, and all potentially talking at once. In a time when disruptive passenger behaviour, including “air rage”, is increasingly frequent, phone use in flight might be another trigger that changes the whole flight experience.

Disruptive behaviors can manifest in different ways, ranging from noncompliance with safety regulations such as not wearing seat belts, verbal altercations with fellow passengers and crew members, to physical altercations with passengers and crew members, commonly referred to as air rage.

To sum up, the use of phones during flights does not presently hinder the aircraft's ability to function. However, flight attendants may not prefer to be delayed in providing in-flight service to a large number of passengers.

Nevertheless, with the emergence of 5G technology, there is a risk of interference with aircraft navigation systems. Further research is required to address the question of whether 5G technology can interfere with aircraft navigation systems during landings. It's worth noting that during the two most critical phases of a flight, takeoffs are optional, but landings are mandatory.