Airplane Mode Is Not Just For Airplanes

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Who knew? Let’s start by asking: Which camp are you in?

Camp A: Well, isn’t airplane mode just for airplanes?

Camp B: I’m in the camp that says: “since that’s the title of the article, ‘Airplane Mode’ must have another purpose.”

Before we talk about how airplane mode can actually help you, what does airplane mode actually do and why do airlines request it be turned on before takeoff?

Quick history lesson: Airplane mode turns off your phone’s primary wireless signals (such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Cellular), so that it doesn’t interfere with the similar signals airplane pilots use to perform important communications with air-traffic control down below. Airplane mode, or alternatively “flight mode”, “offline mode” was implemented in the 1990s after early cellular devices on airplanes were causing interference and annoying clicking sounds with pilot communications.

OK Gabe, that’s great and all, but get to the point already, how can this help me when I’m on the ground? Besides saving battery life, here are 3 “moments” where I find turning on airplane mode (or if possible, turning off your phone altogether) can have a tremendous impact on your mood and focus.

1. Before bed

Unless you’re expecting a call… or burger… at 3AM… turning on airplane mode before bed can have several benefits.

Patrick for comedic relief

Firstly, it signals to your brain that you are “taking off” to bed, you are initiating your bedtime and forcing your phone (and yourself) to pause. Turning on airplane mode stops the checking of new mail, messages, and notifications — and thus, stops you from thinking about them and letting their existence, invade your consciousness. Activating airplane mode creates a technological and psychological “barrier” between your phone, and you.

Recall the last time you flew — at least for someone who receives many emails, calls and messages a day — wasn’t it at least a bit relieving? You can take that same feeling with you every night of the week.

Now let’s talk about waking up. A non-productive habit for many is checking their phones as soon as they arise. However, when you wake up with your phone on airplane mode you are (virtually) distraction free. All the apps, websites, and social media demanding for your attention as soon as you open your eyelids — are now locked behind a shield you created the night before. You can think of it has having “just landed” on the runway from your “flight” of sleep.

It empowers YOU to choose when you want your phone plugged back into the matrix of media. Instead of checking your email, news, sports, or social media immediately, it creates a space, a window for you to choose when and how you want to react. Also, any negative news can wait until later, why start off your day with something unpleasant if you don’t have to?

Airplane, just for good measure. Photo by Emanu on Unsplash

It’s up to you how long you wait before turning airplane mode off. If you must use a device to check an important early morning item, for example, bus times, or a very important email, do try to find another way, such as a tablet in another room.

Try waiting until after your total morning routine, whatever that may be for you, to turn off airplane mode and check your phone. Or, to crank it up a level, try leaving airplane mode on until even later in the day. Wait until you “Eat the Frog”. A term given to doing the hardest, most distasteful task first. You’ll be distraction free and empowered to get it out of the way!

Note: I’ll note that for those who absolutely must have their phones turned on and connected, such as to connect to a medical device, an alternative solution is to utilize the “Notification Summary” on iOS devices. You won’t be distracted and you can choose when you want to be notified by your non-timely notifications in a convenient daily summary, in the morning, evening or both. It’s a very helpful alternative.

2. Friend/Family time

This one’s easy. The next time you’re with friends or family, see what it’s like to turn on airplane mode — even for just 5 minutes. Try turning off your phone — or leaving it in another room, just don’t check it. See how that feels. When everyone has a magnetic link and urge to check their phones all the time, then part of their waking consciousness is not fully present — it’s shared with the demanding attention of their phone. It’s much easier to connect with others when they don’t have their phones connected too. You can have everyone put their phone in a “phone basket”, or leave it on the coffee table, or in a backpack, for example.

3. Weekly tech-free time

Lastly, many are adopting a weekly “Tech Sabbath” — a weekly time to turn off and disconnect from your devices, social media and technology. The Art of Manliness blog has an insightful article about this. Once a week, whether it’s for 1, 6, or 12 hours or even 24 hours, take a weekly time to put away your tech — and turn airplane mode on for your life. You’ll feel rebooted and more refreshed every week.

For anyone that has done so, taking a Tech Sabbath can make a world of a difference. As more of our time is spent on screens, disconnecting is become increasingly difficult — and more important than ever. The Art of Manliness blog describes this perfectly:

Taking a weekly Tech Sabbath allows us to step off this wheel of endless sameness… In so doing, it refreshes and rejuvenates our minds and spirit. It provides the motivation to unhook our wired craniums from the matrix of cyberspace and explore the pleasures of the real world.

Wow. So try it, even for an hour — to spend weekly quality time with your friends, family — or even just you.

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Originally published October 20, 2023

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