What happens if you use cellular on a plane?

Cellular Devices and Airplanes: A Safety Hazard

The use of cellular devices on airplanes is a serious safety hazard due to radio wave emissions. These waves can disrupt critical navigation and radar systems, as well as interfere with pilots’ communication headsets.

Aircraft navigation systems rely on radio waves to communicate with ground-based stations. These stations provide the aircraft with information on its location, altitude, and speed. Cellular devices can interfere with these signals, causing the aircraft to lose its position or receive incorrect information.

Radar systems are also used on aircraft to detect other aircraft and obstacles. Cellular devices can interfere with radar signals, making it difficult for pilots to see other aircraft or objects in their path.

In addition, cellular devices can interfere with pilots’ communication headsets. These headsets are used to communicate with air traffic controllers and other pilots. If a cellular device interferes with a pilot’s headset, it could prevent the pilot from hearing important communications.

For these reasons, the use of cellular devices on airplanes is strictly prohibited. Passengers are asked to turn off their cellular devices before takeoff and to keep them off throughout the flight.