airplane mode

noun

variants US airplane mode or British aeroplane mode

: an operating mode for an electronic device (such as a mobile phone) in which the device does not connect to wireless networks and cannot send or receive communications (such as calls or text messages) or access the Internet but remains usable for other functions

Today [in 2009], airlines may let passengers use newer-model cell phones in what's called "airplane" mode, which essentially disables the transmission function so they can't make calls. … FAA guidance allows cell phone calls once the plane has landed and is taxiing to the gate.

—Air Safety Week

Now, I do all I can to ensure that I have a calm and productive morning. I keep my phone in the kitchen overnight, often not turning it off airplane mode until I start work.

—Benjamin Spall

Examples of airplane mode in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Washington Post reported that phone records cited in the indictment suggest that after sending a selfie to her extramarital partner on May 9, 2020, Suzanne did not use her phone further, and Barry placed his own phone in airplane mode around the same time. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025

Rather than default to focusing attention on your phone, try turning off its volume or setting it to airplane mode. —Linda R. Tropp, The Conversation, 21 May 2025

The man’s phone was powered off or in airplane mode during multiple burglaries. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2025

Nothing’s worse than flicking over to airplane mode and finding your phone is suddenly useless. —David Pierce, WIRED, 23 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

2002, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for airplane mode

• photocathode
• photodiode
• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode

Kids Definition

airplane mode

noun

: an operating mode for an electronic device (as a smartphone) in which the device does not connect to wireless networks and cannot send or receive communications (as calls) or access the Internet but is usable for other functions