Can you turn Airplane Mode off after you land or finish taxiing?

Can you turn Airplane Mode off after you land or finish taxiing? - Thank You Signage

Can you turn Airplane Mode off after you land or finish taxiing on a plane? I have seen some turn it off after landing and some after taxiing and I have never heard an official rule stating which one is correct.



Best Answer

The effect of leaving Airplane Mode off: your phone will be trying to connect, using maximum battery power, to any phone company cell it can ping during the flight. The connection is guaranteed to fail since at airplane speeds you will be out of that cell's range before a successful handshake is concluded—or at least before significant amounts of data are sent or received. You won't be happy because of battery drain. The phone company won't be happy because any cell that receives your attempt to connect (that's not impossible over several miles with no buildings to interfere) will be attempting to locate your now-far-away phone to hand over to another cell, at maximum signal strength and power; plus, of course, you are briefly using a slot that could be available for another user who won't be miles away by the end of the opening handshake.

I know there are stories that your cellphone can somehow interfere with the plane's navigational system, but that's not the case.

Once you have landed, and are taxiing to the gate, you can establish a successful connection and use your phone just you would leaving the airport in a car. (This supposes cell coverage in the airport vicinity, which is a given at any major city.) This doesn't answer any question about legal regulations, which vary from one country and airline to another, but explains the physics.




Pictures about "Can you turn Airplane Mode off after you land or finish taxiing?"

Can you turn Airplane Mode off after you land or finish taxiing? - Purple Petaled Flower and Thank You Card
Can you turn Airplane Mode off after you land or finish taxiing? - Thank You Text
Can you turn Airplane Mode off after you land or finish taxiing? - Close-Up Shot of Text on a Blue Surface



When can I take airplane mode off?

To turn Airplane mode on or off:
  • Open your phone's Settings app.
  • Tap Network & internet.
  • Turn Airplane mode on or off. When Airplane mode is on, Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and Bluetooth are all turned off.


  • Can you use your phone after takeoff?

    In the United States, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has outlawed using a phone while the plane is off the ground, regardless of the airline. This restriction is set by the FCC to circumvent possible issues with cell towers.

    Do you have to leave airplane mode on the whole flight?

    You must keep your phones (and tablets) on airplane mode during the whole flight.



    Turning off Airplane Mode during a Flight...




    More answers regarding can you turn Airplane Mode off after you land or finish taxiing?

    Answer 2

    On all flights I have taken in the past couple of years, this information was either available in the airline’s information leaflets in the seatback pocket or it was announced when we landed – or both. I cannot remember a flight I took recently where the passengers were asked to keep their handheld devices in flight mode until the aircraft came to a complete stop; they all had some sort of do what you want after touchdown.

    My experience is limited to flights in Europe, East Asia and between those two. Legal standards may differ.

    Answer 3

    Actually, in Europe you can have your phone or any other device throughout the flight without Airplane Mode enabled. EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) gave permission for that almost 5 years ago)

    But it is the airline company's final decision.

    Answer 4

    As others have said, this will depend on country and airline. That said, in the US, immediately after the wheels touch the ground, I quickly turn off my Airplane mode as my phone will shortly be able to get cell signal for 4G. A few seconds later, attendants have explicitly said that although passengers should stay seated, they can turn off Airplane mode and surf the web as they please. Makes sense since after landing, it should be smooth for the most part getting from the runway to the gate.

    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: George Dolgikh @ Giftpundits.com, George Dolgikh @ Giftpundits.com, George Dolgikh @ Giftpundits.com, Tima Miroshnichenko