When Can You Use Your Phone on a Plane?

The Basic Rules for Phone Use on a Plane

Phone rules on a plane are simpler than many people think. The short version:

• Before the doors close: Normal use, any mode
• Doors close through landing: Airplane mode required (cellular off)
• During cruise: Wi-Fi is usually available if the airline has it; Bluetooth for headphones is fine
• After landing, crew announcement: Cellular use permitted again

What Airplane Mode Does and Doesn't Restrict

Airplane mode disables your phone's cellular transmitter — it stops sending and receiving signals over 4G/5G networks. It does not prevent you from:

• Playing games
• Using the camera
• Listening to downloaded music or podcasts
• Watching downloaded videos
• Using apps that work offline
• Reading downloaded articles or ebooks
• Using a calculator, clock, or notes app

After enabling airplane mode, you can also manually re-enable Bluetooth (for wireless headphones) and Wi-Fi (for in-flight internet access) independently — they're just turned off by default when you enable airplane mode.

Can You Use Wi-Fi on a Plane?

Yes, if the aircraft is equipped with in-flight Wi-Fi. Most major US airlines have Wi-Fi on domestic flights, though coverage varies:

• Delta: Wi-Fi on most domestic and international flights; free messaging on some routes
• American: Wi-Fi on most mainline domestic aircraft
• United: Wi-Fi on most routes, including free texting via messaging apps
• Southwest: Wi-Fi on most flights; has offered free in-flight Wi-Fi in some periods
• JetBlue: Free high-speed Wi-Fi (Fly-Fi) on all aircraft

Cost ranges from $0 (free airlines or airline credit card benefit) to $8-30+ per session or flight. Speed is typically adequate for messaging and light browsing; video streaming is variable.

To use in-flight Wi-Fi: enable airplane mode, then manually re-enable Wi-Fi in your settings. Connect to the aircraft's Wi-Fi network, open a browser, and follow the instructions to pay (if required) or simply connect.

Can You Use Bluetooth on a Plane?

Yes. Bluetooth is allowed throughout the flight. Use it for:

• Wireless headphones (AirPods, Bose, Sony, etc.)
• Bluetooth keyboards
• Smart watches
• Any other Bluetooth accessories

Enable airplane mode, then manually turn Bluetooth back on. It remains on even in airplane mode once you re-enable it.

Can You Make Phone Calls on a Plane?

Making traditional voice calls (using the cellular network) is not permitted during flight. The FAA requires cellular transmission to be disabled, and airplane mode is how that's accomplished.

However, you can make VoIP calls (Voice over Internet Protocol) via apps like FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Meet, or Skype if the aircraft has Wi-Fi — these use the internet rather than the cellular network. Whether airlines allow this is a separate matter: most airlines permit voice calls via apps technically, but many discourage it (and some prohibit it) out of courtesy to fellow passengers.

Delta, United, and most major US carriers have policies against in-flight voice calls. The rule is more social than regulatory in many cases.

When Is Cellular Use Allowed?

Once the plane lands and the crew makes an announcement that electronic devices may be used in cellular mode, you're free to turn off airplane mode. This announcement typically comes:

• After the plane has pulled into the gate on domestic flights
• After the seat-belt sign turns off on some flights
• Occasionally earlier if the airline has enabled in-flight cellular service (rare in the US)

Some European and international airlines have started offering in-flight cellular service (allowing actual voice calls at altitude), but this is still uncommon in the US as of 2026.

During Takeoff and Landing Specifically

During takeoff, climb, approach, and landing, your phone should be in airplane mode with the screen down or locked in many cases. Flight attendants may ask you to put the phone away (face down) rather than have it out distracting you during these higher-attention phases.

Some airlines ask passengers to put devices away entirely during taxi and takeoff — not for interference reasons, but for situational awareness. In an emergency evacuation, you need to be focused, not filming.

Using Your Phone as a Boarding Pass

One practical note: you need your phone's screen on and readable during boarding to scan your boarding pass at the gate. Make sure your brightness is turned up, your screen lock doesn't activate between gate and scanner, and you have the boarding pass accessible before you join the boarding line.