If you are a mobile user who travels a lot, then you need a way to work or have fun, while flying. Luckily, just like any smartphone operating system, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 both have a feature named Airplane mode. You can turn it on so that you can use your laptop or tablet while flying. Here’s what Airplane mode does, why you should use it and how, in both operating systems.
NOTE: If you are interested in instructions for Windows 8.1, read page 2 of this guide.
What is the Airplane mode in Windows?
Airplane mode turns off all the wireless communications on your Windows device. That means that it disables any radio chips that might interfere with the airplane’s communication and navigation systems or chips that might not work while you are flying. As the name implies, this feature should be used when flying on an airplane. In Windows, when Airplane mode is turned on, the wireless network card, the Bluetooth chip and the mobile data connection (3G or 4G) are turned off. You should turn it on when boarding planes. After take-off, you can enable the Wi-Fi or the Bluetooth, if you need to use them. However, they should be turned off again when the plane prepares for landing.
This feature also helps you save power when flying. Because some of your device’s components are turned off, they are not used and they don’t consume any power. Therefore, you’ll get slightly better battery life. This benefit alone makes this feature useful also when you don’t board planes but you want to save as much power as possible.