Paul Rudd Insists Putting Your Phone on Airplane Mode Is 'Nonsense,' Shares More Controversial Travel Takes

Natalia SenanayakeWed, June 3, 2026 at 7:25 PM UTC

0

Paul Rudd on Jake Shane's "Therapuss" podcast
Credit: Netflix -

Paul Rudd calls airplane mode rules “nonsense” while discussing his travel takes on a recent episode of Therapuss

The actor shared his other controversial do's and don'ts, including standing up immediately after the plane lands and putting your seat up and tray table away for takeoff and landing

Airplane mode prevents interference with critical aircraft instruments, according to the FAA, while having tray tables stowed and seats upright is essential in an emergency evacuation

Paul Rudd is not holding back when it comes to his air travel hot takes.

While appearing in an episode of Jake Shane's Therapusspodcast on Wednesday, May 27, the actor, 57, shared his many travel etiquette opinions, including what goes through his mind when he's told to put his phone on airplane mode while flying.

“When they say put your seat up, your tray table up, put your computer away, and turn your phone on airplane mode… I think all of that is nonsense,” Rudd tells Shane, prompting the podcast host to ask, “You think the airplane mode thing is nonsense?”

Without skipping a beat, Rudd emphasizes, “I know it's nonsense.”

Paul Rudd and Jake Shane
Credit: Netflix

Shane then explains that the main reason why he chooses to follow the airplane mode rule each time he flies is to save his phone's battery.

Rudd then responds, “Well that's smart, but I think that there's something to do… that it can [interfere] with a frequency, if too many people are off airplane mode, to the pilot and they're talking to the control tower—”

“Oh, they can't hear?” Shane interrupts, prompting the actor to explain, “Occasionally, it might be an annoyance in their headset. I think I read an article on it one time.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires all phones must be switched to airplane mode because the devices can “interfere with critical aircraft instruments,"

"Devices must be used in airplane mode or with the cellular connection disabled. You may use the WiFi connection on your device if the plane has an installed WiFi system and the airline allows its use," the agency's website notes.

Advertisement

Stowing tray tables and putting seats in an upright position keeps egress paths clear for passengers in the event of an emergency evacuation, which are more common during take off and landing.

Stock image of a phone in airplane mode
Credit: Getty

In addition to his thoughts on the rules passengers must follow before takeoff, Rudd also revealed where he stands when it comes to standing up as soon as the plane lands.

After Shane first admits, “I also stand up when the airplanes land,” the actor agrees, “Oh, but that's alright.”

When the host asks him to elaborate, Rudd reiterates, “I do. Well, sometimes I'll be like, ‘Oh, we haven't come to a complete stop.'”

— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“Oh, I'll never get up until we stop,” Shane says, before asking with a slightly shocked tone, “You get up before you stop?”

With a laugh, Rudd concludes, “No. Well, I try not to. Oh, you get up, you've stopped, but they haven't… I think it's alright.”

Airline safety rules require that passengers remain seated with their seatbelts fastened while the plane is on an active taxiway, where it's likely they will move suddenly or occasionally even clip another plane. Passengers should only stand up once the plane reaches the gate, comes to a complete stop, and the captain turns off the fasten seatbelt sign.

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”