As the holiday season approaches, travel becomes a common activity, whether to visit family domestically or to explore new destinations internationally.

In the United States, passengers are instructed to switch their portable devices to airplane mode or power them off during flights due to potential interference with aircraft systems, a regulation that contrasts with the recent lifting of similar restrictions by the EU.

Decades-Old Regulation

The EU lifted its long-standing ban on cell phone usage in airplanes in 2022, but Americans are still required to use airplane mode. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) claims that cell phone signals could interfere with aircraft communications and navigation equipment, although this risk is deemed minimal by aviation consultant Richard Levy.

Historical Perspective

In May 1961, the FAA banned the operation of FM receivers on aircraft due to interference with navigation and communication systems. This ban is rooted in the frequencies used by FM radios and aircraft communications, which are in close proximity in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Modern Technology

Cell phones operate at significantly higher frequencies than FM radios, making it unlikely that they can interfere with aircraft systems. Despite studies commissioned by the FAA that found no evidence of such interference, some anecdotal incidents have been reported regarding potential disturbances in communication equipment.

Speculation and Resistance

There are speculations that the ban on cell phone usage on planes in the US is motivated more by passenger comfort and potential air rage than actual safety concerns. Concerns about voice conversations causing annoyance and distractions among passengers have been raised as potential reasons for maintaining the ban.

Regulatory Hurdles

The prohibition on cell phone usage in airplanes is regulated by both the FAA and the FCC, making any potential policy change a complex process involving two federal agencies. Additionally, unions within the commercial air industry may also play a role in maintaining the status quo.

Conservative Approach

The US aviation industry tends to take a conservative stance on policy changes, preferring to rely on data to definitively prove that there is no risk associated with allowing cell phone usage on flights. As such, any shift in this long-standing regulation is unlikely in the near future.