This is when a pilot may ask passengers to turn off their mobile phones and not keep in airplane mode

Dhairyashil Vandekar, an aviation expert and analyst asserted that completely switching off is "normally" not required

New Delhi | January 27, 2025 01:30 PM IST

When can you be asked to switch off mobile phones in a flight? (Photo: Freepik)

Aeroplane passengers are usually just required to put their mobile phones on flight mode instead of switching them off completely, which suffices by disabling cellular connectivity. However, in certain situations, the pilot can ask passengers to switch off their phones entirely instead of putting them in flight mode. But what are these situations?

According to Dhairyashil Vandekar, an aviation expert and analyst, a pilot may specifically ask passengers to switch off their phones during the critical takeoff or landing phases. “Also, if the regulations of the airport they may be operating to require the same, passengers may be asked to switch off their phones. In certain situations, the pilot may also do so to ensure passengers pay complete attention to important inflight announcements and not get distracted by their phones,” said Vandekar.

Aviation expert Rajagopal from Aviation Training India offered a more technical explanation, suggesting that when an aircraft is on an autoland approach to minimise risk while landing in bad weather, the rule is to shut down electronic devices completely.

Many critical navigation systems like ILS Category 3 and Bravo 3 Charlie are highly sensitive to electromagnetic signals, said Rajagopal, adding that the highest category is 3B and 3C, which are very difficult and sensitive.

Notably, the Instrument Landing System (ILS) helps an aircraft to be centred on the approach path, assisted by radio signals that do not have any visual reference. These signals are in the 110 MHz (LOC) and 330 MHz (GS) frequency range.

Let’s understand in more detail (Photo: Freepik)

So, even when the phone is in airplane mode, it still emits electromagnetic radiation which may affect aircraft systems. “Systems like radio altimeter (distance between an airplane and the ground beneath it) operate very close to the 5G spectrum 4.2 Gigahertz. They can be disrupted badly. Even if there is a small disruption, it can cause an accident,” said Rajagopal.

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However, Vandekar asserted that completely switching off is “normally” not required. “Howsoever unconvinced one may be, one must follow the crew’s instructions as many flight and passenger safety, regulatory, etc. complexities are involved in air travel, and it may not be possible for the crew to share it with individual passengers every time,” said Vandekar.

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