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

Is airplane mode just another outdated travel ritual from the flip-phone era, like applauding the landing? —Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 12 Apr. 2025

In the video, the pilot shared a real-life experience when phones that were not toggled to airplane mode interfered. —Sydney Borchers, Fox News, 10 Dec. 2024

During these searches, your device is typically in airplane mode or offline, so the officer can only go through what's on the hard drive or operating system. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025

The flight tests in January 2025 consisted of over 40 takeoffs and landings along with 30 extremely complex transitions between helicopter and airplane mode, reaching a top cruise speed of 86 knots (99 mph, 159 km/h). —David Szondy, New Atlas, 10 Mar. 2025

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