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We are all familiar with the drill: “Please make sure your seats are in the upright position, tray tables secured, window shades lifted, laptops placed in the overhead compartments, and electronic devices switched to flight mode.”
Now, the first four instructions are quite sensible, right? Window shades should be lifted so we can see any emergencies, such as a fire. Tray tables must be secured and seats positioned upright for a swift exit from the row. Laptops can turn into hazardous objects during emergencies since the seat back pockets are not designed to hold them securely.
And mobile phones need to be switched to flight mode to prevent them from causing an issue for the airplane, right? Well, that depends on who you ask.
Technology has progressed significantly
Aviation navigation and communication depend on radio frequencies, which have been orchestrated to reduce interference since the 1920s.
The digital technology we currently utilize is substantially more sophisticated than older analog technologies we used even 60 years ago. Studies have indicated that personal electronic devices can emit signals within the same frequency range as the aircraft’s communication and navigation systems, leading to what is termed electromagnetic interference.
However, back in 1992, the US Federal Aviation Authority and Boeing conducted an independent research to examine the effect of electronic devices on aircraft interference and found no problems with computers or any other personal electronic devices during non-critical flight stages. (Takeoffs and landings are classified as the critical stages.)
The US Federal Communications Commission also started to allocate reserved frequency bandwidths for various applications – such as mobile phones and aircraft navigation and communications – to prevent interference with each other. Nations across the globe adopted similar strategies and policies to avert interference concerns in aviation. In the EU, electronic devices have been permitted to remain on since 2014.
2.2 billion passengers
So why, with these worldwide standards established, has the aviation sector maintained its prohibition on mobile phone usage? One of the challenges stems from something you might not anticipate – ground interference.
Wireless networks depend on a network of towers; the systems could become overloaded if passengers flying over these networks are all utilizing their phones. The total number of passengers that traveled in 2021 exceeded 2.2 billion, which is half of the 2019 figures. The wireless companies may have a valid concern here.
Naturally, regarding mobile networks, the most significant development in recent times is the transition to a new standard. Present 5G wireless networks – sought after for their rapid data transmission – have raised alarms among many in the aviation sector.
The radio frequency bandwidth is finite, yet we continue to attempt to incorporate more new devices into it. The aviation sector emphasizes that the 5G wireless network bandwidth spectrum is alarmingly close to the allocated aviation bandwidth spectrum, potentially causing interference with the navigation systems near airports that aid in landing the aircraft.
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Airport operators in Australia and the US have expressed concerns regarding aviation safety related to the 5G rollout, though it appears to have been implemented without such issues in the European Union. Regardless, it is wise to restrict mobile phone usage on aircraft while the 5G situation is being assessed.
Ultimately, we cannot overlook air rage
Most airlines nowadays offer Wi-Fi services that are either pay-per-use or complimentary. With the advent of new Wi-Fi technologies, passengers could feasibly use their mobile phones to conduct video calls with friends or clients while in-flight.
On a recent journey, I engaged in a conversation with a flight attendant and inquired about her thoughts on mobile phone utilization during flights. She remarked that it would be an inconvenience for the crew to wait for passengers to finish their calls before asking them if they desired a drink or snack. On an aircraft accommodating over 200 passengers, in-flight service would inevitably become slower if everyone were making calls.
Personally, my concern regarding in-flight mobile phone usage relates more to the social dynamics of having over 200 individuals on an airplane, all potentially talking simultaneously. In an era where disruptive behavior among passengers, including “air rage,” is becoming increasingly common, phone usage during flights could be another catalyst that alters the entire flying experience.
Disruptive behaviors manifest in various ways, ranging from noncompliance with safety regulations such as failing to wear seat belts to verbal conflicts with fellow travelers and cabin crew, or even physical confrontations – commonly identified as air rage.
In summary – the current in-flight use of mobile phones does not hinder the aircraft’s operational capacity. Nevertheless, cabin crew might prefer to avoid delays in serving all passengers – it’s a large number of people to cater to.
However, 5G technology is encroaching upon the aviation navigation systems’ radio bandwidth; further studies are necessary to resolve the 5G concern regarding its interference with aircraft navigation during landing. It’s important to remember that when discussing the two most critical flight phases, takeoffs are optional – whereas landings are essential.
Doug Drury serves as Professor and Head of Aviation at Central Queensland University.
