Airplane Mode Not A Guarantee For iPhone Use

One of the features of the iPhone I wasn’t previously aware of is that the unit can be put in “airplane mode,” a safe-mode that cuts all of the wireless features of the iPhone, theoretically permitting users to keep the phone on during flights that require passengers to discontinue cell phone use. The thing is, Apple might be the only one who sees the mode as being airplane safe, as one passenger just discovered.

A passenger on ATA Airlines recently got into some hot water for refusing to turn off his iPhone during a flight to Hawaii. He was using his iPhone to watch a movie during the flight and was asked several times to shut it off because cell phones were not permitted during the flight. He argued with the flight attendant that the phone was in “airplane mode” and therefore was safe, but the attendant insisted FAA regulations require cell phones to be shut off. As you might expect, the arguing led to the passenger having a nice conversation with the authorities in Hawaii upon the plane’s landing. While the passenger was eventually allowed to go, you have to know that put a damper on the beginning of his Hawaiian trip.

It turns out, “airplane mode” is something that’s dictated by Apple and not accepted by all the airlines or the FAA. CNET points out that Apple’s webpage states that turning on airplane mode deactivates wireless features of the phone, letting the phone be used after takeoff, “if allowed by the aircraft operator and applicable laws and regulations.” It seems to me that the FAA should have approved that before Apple advertised the feature, though, especially considering cell phone usage during flights isn’t consistently enforced from company to company (and flight to flight).

Obviously, with the iPhone somewhat paving the way to the future, this is something airlines are going to have to consider, especially as the iPhone becomes less of a novelty and joins its brother and sister Blackberries and Smart Phones. For now, however, be aware that just because Apple says you can use your phone in the air, you might not actually be allowed to.


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