Breaking News: Shocking Survey Reveals 42% of German Air Travelers Ignore Flight Mode
In a groundbreaking survey conducted by Bitkom in June 2025, it was discovered that 42% of German air travelers frequently ignore the rule of placing their phones in flight mode. This alarming statistic is particularly high among younger travelers aged 16 to 29, where it jumps to 54%. On the contrary, travelers aged 65 and above are more compliant, with only 18% admitting to ignoring the guidelines.
Flight mode is a critical safety measure for both passengers and the aircraft. Activating flight mode conserves battery life and plays a crucial role during safety briefings at the beginning of every flight. Our own reporter, Marcus Fahn, sat down with Felix Möcke, an experienced pilot with over 40,000 Instagram followers on his channel Pilot Flying Felix, to discuss the importance of this practice.
According to Pilot Möcke, while modern aircraft have redundant systems designed to prevent most disruptions, interference from external signals like 5G can generate false readings in the cockpit. He elaborates, “A couple of years ago, there were instances where 5G waves interfered with the aircraft radar altimeter. Although this is now mitigated through different frequency use in Europe, the potential risks highlight the importance of adhering to flight mode.”
Travelers transiting through Switzerland without their phones in flight mode may unknowingly rack up high roaming charges. In Germany, phones typically disconnect from mast towers above 600 meters, but this isn’t the case in Switzerland. To avoid costly surprises, it’s essential to keep your phone in flight mode during your journey.
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Explore more insights from Felix Möcke on his Instagram profile:
pilot.flying_felix
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