Pilot Explains What Happens When You Don’t Put Your Phone On Airplane Mode While Flying

A commercial pilot in a video posted on TikTok account @PerchPoint clarified a common misconception about flying safety rule on switching your phone to airplane mode.


He explained why this is an important precaution that supports flight safety.

“Putting your phone on airplane mode won’t stop the plane from flying,”, “but it does help prevent annoying interference in the cockpit.”

The pilot clarified that a plane won’t fall out of the sky just because a few passengers forget to flip the switch. However, he explained that if several devices attempt to connect to cell towers during the flight — especially when receiving calls or messages — the resulting radio waves can interfere with the headsets worn by pilots.

“I once heard this loud buzzing in my headset — like a mosquito or wasp flying around my ear — while trying to land the plane,” he said. “It made it hard to hear critical instructions from air traffic control.”

Though it may sound harmless, such interference can be distracting , especially during high-focus moments like take-off or landing, when communication is most crucial.uninterrupted communication vital to ensure safety.

He said pilots often operate with limited visibility and rely heavily on clear audio transmissions.