Will your plane fall out of the sky if you don’t hold your phone? flight modeProbably not. But it’s still an important (and standard) pre-flight instruction that we’re all guilty of ignoring. However, even though modern airplanes are built to avoid technical malfunctions, this is why small oversights can cause big problems, especially when it comes to background noise.

Why is flight mode important?

Have you ever heard a low, repetitive buzzing sound in the speaker when the phone is nearby? Now imagine what’s happening in the cockpit. When a phone left in regular mode continues searching for networks, it can interfere with pilots’ communication systems. Now imagine that 70, 100, 200 people are using their phones simultaneously in a flight. The plight of pilots, whose headsets will buzz as if there were wasps near their ears, will not allow them to communicate effectively with ground control, especially during critical moments such as takeoff or landing, when they must fully concentrate on navigation and communications. Requires concentration.

In fact, a pilot has gone viral on TikTok by explaining the reason for this common question that has been troubling air travelers for years. In a video with over 2 million views, the pilot, known as @perchpoint on the platform, broke it down in simple terms. He recalled a recent flight where he was using his headset to get clearance “which way to go” and the message interference made it feel as if he had a “mosquito” in his ear. “It’s definitely not the end of the world, but it’s very annoying when you’re trying to copy the instructions and it looks like there’s a wasp or something flying around,” he said in the video.

When your phone searches for a network, it sends signals that may interfere with aircraft headsets. While modern systems are designed to handle interference, multiple devices doing so simultaneously can create a distracting symphony of static noise for the crew.

Putting your phone in flight mode disables its network discovery, eliminating conversations entirely.

Additionally, leaving your phone in regular mode causes it to work overtime, searching for networks at high altitudes where signals are weak or unavailable. This constant effort drains your battery faster than normal.

So the next time you hear the announcement, don’t ignore it.

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