Photo: Ms Comfort Emmanson
On August 10, 2025, a flight from Uyo to Lagos became the centre of a national debate on in-flight phone use after passenger Comfort Emmanson refused to switch off her phone before takeoff. What began as a simple crew instruction spiralled into a physical confrontation.
According to Ibom Air and aviation authorities, Emmanson ignored repeated requests, allegedly assaulted the purser, attempted to use a fire extinguisher in the cabin, and resisted security personnel upon landing. The incident escalated when a video of her removal—showing her in a torn outfit that exposed her indecently—went viral. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo condemned the leak, announcing disciplinary action against airline staff who filmed and shared it.
In the aftermath, the Airline Operators of Nigeria imposed a lifetime ban on Emmanson across all member airlines. She now faces assault charges.
The drama reignited a long-standing question: In 2025, is it still necessary to switch off your phone or put it in airplane mode?
From a scientific standpoint, modern aircraft can withstand the radio-frequency interference mobile devices produce. In the 1980s and 90s, when avionics were less shielded and phones noisier, there was a theoretical risk to navigation and communication systems—hence the strict rules. Anyone who remembers the buzzing of old GSM phones over speakers understands why caution prevailed.
Today, both planes and networks have evolved. Aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 have advanced shielding, and digital mobile protocols are less prone to interference. Regulators in the US and EU now allow “gate-to-gate” device use in airplane mode. Some airlines even provide onboard 4G or 5G, routing signals via a satellite link to avoid cockpit interference.
So why do some airlines still demand devices be switched off entirely? Often it’s regulatory lag and mixed fleets. Some carriers operate both new and older jets, and applying one blanket rule is simpler. It’s also about safety culture: a clear, enforceable policy avoids confusion.
There’s the cabin environment factor too. Takeoff and landing are the most critical phases of flight. Crew want passengers alert, not distracted by calls or games. Your video may not crash the plane, but missing an evacuation order because of headphones can.
Another modern reason for airplane mode is battery life. At cruising altitude, phones struggle to connect to ground towers, transmitting at full power and draining the battery. Airplane mode stops this, which is why frequent flyers often land with more charge.
Still, battery life is your concern—not the airline’s. What matters to them is order and compliance. The Ibom Air incident shows how quickly a simple request can escalate.
In Europe, carriers like Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, and KLM now encourage passengers to stay connected via onboard networks, turning it into a revenue stream. Gulf airlines do the same, especially for premium cabins.
Globally, rules vary. Many African and some Asian carriers still require phones off or in airplane mode. US airlines allow airplane mode with Wi-Fi but ban voice calls. Some European and Middle Eastern carriers promote full mobile use. In the US, the ban on calls is about passenger comfort, not technology. Surveys show most travellers dread being stuck next to someone shouting into a phone for hours.
Examples abound. Air France’s short trial on the Rome–Paris route ended in shouting matches. Two businessmen on Middle East Airlines held loud conference calls until another passenger threw a pillow. Emirates faced complaints when a family used speakerphone mid-flight, and Qantas abandoned its policy after chaos in the cabin.
The pattern is clear: when unrestricted calls are allowed, people abuse them. Some airlines limit calls to certain zones or times; US carriers quietly block VoIP. The compromise—messaging, email, social media without voice calls—keeps cabins calmer.
The Ibom Air episode was extreme but spotlights the issue. Even if interference is no longer a serious risk, refusing crew instructions is. Air travel works because passengers follow rules—outdated or not. Once individuals decide which to obey, order breaks down. You might be right that your phone won’t harm the aircraft, but if it becomes a standoff with crew, you’re still wrong.
So, are you the asshole for not putting your phone in airplane mode? Morally, perhaps not. Practically—when sharing a confined space with hundreds of strangers under crew authority—probably yes. In 2025, the small inconvenience of airplane mode is a cheap price to avoid becoming the next viral aviation cautionary tale.
Oghenekevwe Kofi, sent this piece from Lagos.
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