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

Vertical Aerospace has scored a world-first as its full-scale tilt-rotor eVTOL completed a two-way piloted transition between vertical helicopter mode and horizontal airplane mode during a single continuous flight while under regulatory oversight. —David Szondy april 17, New Atlas, 17 Apr. 2026

McFarlin placed his phone on airplane mode, left the area and was later arrested in Mono County. —Brandon Downs, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026

Putting my phone in airplane mode and checking out of the world and back into a book doesn’t have to be restricted to daylight hours. —Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026

Research has shown that just having your phone or computer near your bed — even in airplane mode — can cause lower-quality sleep, says Twenge. —Malaka Gharib, NPR, 12 Mar. 2026

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