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

Your carry-on is safely stowed, your audiobook is queued up, and your phone is on airplane mode. —Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025

To avoid this, keep your phone in airplane mode when the ship is not in port. —David Nikel, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

According to friends on Facebook, Henderson decided to hike alone after putting his cell phone on airplane mode to save battery power. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025

Then Henderson decided to hike alone after putting his cell phone on airplane mode to save battery, friends posted on Facebook. —Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 11 Aug. 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