Flyers alert! Taking smartphone on plane? Beware! Don't do this

India may roll out in-flight wifi connectivity anytime soon. The service is aimed at providing flyers with onboard online infotainment facility. However, have you ever worried why you are required to put your smartphone on Airplane (flight) mode while flying? Of course, there is a safety aspect to it but it also saves you from burning a hole in your pocket!

You may think how on earth is this possible?

According to an Irish Times report, a flyer who ignored the repeated request to either turn-off or put their phones on flight mode has received a whopping $300 phone bill weeks after his flight. 

Yes, this has happened due to sky-high roaming charges. The flyer had left his phone in an overhead compartment while flying to the US. Weeks later, he received a bill for around $300 from his service provider AT&T.

The service provided confirmed to the daily that the charges have been levied as the phone got connected to antennas installed on the plane that operate outside an unlimited international roaming plan.

However, the charges may vary depending on the plane and the device the antenna got connected to.

This is one reason besides the security aspect that airlines request the passengers to put their phone on flight mode and use in-flight wifi if required.

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Does any airline gain from it?

The airline, involved this case, said that though the customers may get an unexpectedly high bill, the airline doesn't gain from it as it is a matter between the user of the device and the service provider.

Therefore, if you are onboard a plane, you need to consider the crew's requests seriously, especially if it pertains to your safety and smartphone/devices.