Have you ever wondered why you need to switch your phone to airplane mode before takeoff?
It's something many of us do - in fact, I've done it on every flight I've ever been on - but I've really got no idea why.
Fortunately, one TikTok-famous pilot is setting the record straight, and his viral PSA has already racked up more than 730,000 on the video-sharing platform.
And spoiler alert: It’s not just a pointless rule to make you groan before takeoff.
The pilot, who goes by @perchpoint on TikTok, explained that keeping your phone in airplane mode isn’t some grand conspiracy — it’s actually about keeping the skies safe and the cockpit chatter-free.
“If you have an aircraft with 70, 80, 150 people on board, and even three or four people’s phones start to try to make a connection to a radio tower for an incoming phone call, it sends out radio waves,” the pilot explained in the video.
Those rogue radio waves can interfere with the radio waves pilots use to communicate with air traffic control.
The interference isn’t catastrophic, but it can be seriously distracting. “It’s like there’s a mosquito in your ear,” the TikTokker revealed.
On a recent flight, he recalled struggling to hear instructions clearly while his headset buzzed with interference. “It’s definitely not the end of the world, but it’s pretty annoying when you’re trying to copy down instructions.”
In case you were thinking of ignoring that friendly flight attendant’s announcement next time, keep in mind that airplane mode isn’t just polite—it’s the law.
The code of federal regulations states: “Cellular telephones installed in or carried aboard airplanes, balloons or any other type of aircraft must not be operated while such aircraft are airborne (not touching the ground).”
Once the wheels leave the runway, those devices need to be switched to airplane mode—or turned off altogether.
The pilot’s straightforward and humorous explanation struck a chord with viewers, many of whom admitted they didn’t fully understand why airplane mode mattered until now. “I thought it was just so the plane didn’t explode or something,” one commenter joked.
Another user summed it up perfectly: “So basically, airplane mode stops us from being that one annoying person who ruins the vibes for everyone else. Got it.”
Another person suggested letting passengers know this when they board the plane, saying: "You should say this ON the flight, to the passengers."
Next time you hear the pre-flight reminder to toggle airplane mode, remember: it’s not just for show. You’re helping ensure that your pilot doesn’t have to swat at invisible “mosquitoes” while navigating 30,000 feet in the air.
And let’s face it—one tap is a small price to pay for a smooth flight.
