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Reflecting on a flight I took recently, where the crew allowed us to use WiFi even while our devices were in airplane mode, got me wondering about the specifics of FCC regulations regarding electronic devices on planes. Traditionally, we're told to switch all devices to airplane mode to avoid interference with navigation systems, but it seems like there's some flexibility with newer technology and updated aircraft systems.

So, my question to fellow travelers is: Have you encountered any exceptions to the standard rule of setting devices to airplane mode during flights? How do airlines communicate these exceptions?

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  • Airplane mode only affects communications between your devices and "public" cell towers (because, as you say it's and FCC rule, not an FAA one). Wi-Fi works and has always worked with airplane mode on, as you're only connecting to the hotspot on the plane itself (which internally uses satellite to get internet access).
    – ComputerUser121212
    Commented Sep 1 at 13:24
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    @ComputerUser121212 I’m not quite sure this is true. When airplane mode was introduced all wireless communication was shut down, including cellular, WiFi and BT. It was later progressively relaxed to allow BT, Wifi and then cellular, with lots of variations between countries, airlines, phases of flight…
    – jcaron
    Commented Sep 1 at 13:41
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    @ComputerUser121212 note that there are also FAA rules: 14 C.F.R § 91.21 actually prohibits use of all electronic devices on board, with or without wireless, unless they are among a very short list of devices (hearing aids, pacemakers…) or the airline deems it safe.
    – jcaron
    Commented Sep 1 at 13:48
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    @ComputerUser121212 every phone I've had disables WiFi (and Bluetooth and NFC? I use them rarely so I don't know) when airplane mode is activated, requiring the user to turn them back on if they want to use them during the flight.
    – phoog
    Commented Sep 1 at 15:06
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    Devices turn off Wi-Fi, but it can be re-enabled, in contrast to mobile data or calls, which can't (without turning airplane mode off).
    – ComputerUser121212
    Commented Sep 1 at 17:04

1 Answer 1

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Airplane mode can allow Bluetooth (so you can use wireless headphones, among other things) and Wifi. On Apple devices you have to manually re-enable them individually once the Airplane mode is initiated.

It's up to the airline whether they allow BT and Wifi, but Cellular is always off when the device is in Airplane mode.

The maximum transmit power levels for Wifi and BT are something like 30x lower than for cellular. It's aggravated for cellular in an aircraft because the phone cranks up the transmit power when it can't find a cell tower. That said, I bet in a full wide-body flight there are an average of at least several phones left in cellular mode.

Since some airlines have decided to skip the expense of installing seat-back screens for entertainment and deliver what they have over Wifi, and some airlines make money or differentiate themselves by offering some internet connectivity, there is an incentive for them to ensure the devices can be safely used, and to allow it.

As to how they might communicate situations when it is not allowed, here is a photo from Reddit:

enter image description here

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    I just tested it on my Android phone, when I switch to airplane mode both data and wifi switch off but I can switch wifi back on.
    – Willeke ♦
    Commented Sep 1 at 20:18
  • @Willeke Now turn airplane mode off and back on again - you might find it remembers that those are allowed in airplane mode. Depends on the phone and exact software, but that's what mine does.
    – Doc
    Commented Sep 2 at 4:39
  • @Doc Mine restores the BT but not Wifi. The latter has to be re-enabled each time. I suppose it might do something different if it couldn't detect a Wifi or cellular signal.
    – Spehro 'speff' Pefhany
    Commented Sep 2 at 5:41
  • Bar graphs are prohibited, one shall only plot using line graphs! :D (Also, I haven't flown since 2019, but this is the first time I've seen a prohibition on bottles; and what does the loose word "WATER" here refere to?)
    – gerrit
    Commented Sep 2 at 7:21
  • @gerrit That's clearly a liquor bottle. They don't like it when folks start in on the duty-free during the flight. As to the 'Water', it refers to the aircraft floating suspiciously buoyantly on the water and the passengers calmly exiting through A, B, B again and A again (to rafts?). People in the water holding each other in rings or hungry sharks circling?
    – Spehro 'speff' Pefhany
    Commented Sep 2 at 7:49

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