Paul Rudd sparked controversy by calling airplane mode on smartphones "nonsense" during a podcast appearance Jake Shane «"Therapuss," where he questioned airline safety regulations and discussed his travel habits.
The comments have drawn attention as aviation authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), continue to require passengers to turn on airplane mode to prevent potential interference with aircraft communication systems.
Shane said he uses airplane mode to save battery life. Rudd acknowledged the validity of this claim but suggested the rule may be driven by concerns about radio frequency interference with pilots' headsets.
Rudd's humorous tone contrasted sharply with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) strict enforcement of restrictions on the use of electronic devices. Photo: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA
He added: "Sometimes it can be annoying to their headset. I think I read an article about that once.".
Position of the aviation authorities
The Federal Aviation Administration requires passengers to turn on airplane mode or turn off cellular communications during flights. FAA recommendations , Portable electronic devices can interfere with important aircraft instruments and cockpit communications. Wi-Fi is permitted if the airline provides an approved onboard system.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight mode regulations date back to 1961, when certain radios were banned due to concerns that they could interfere with aircraft navigation systems. (Source: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA)
Sean Pruchnicki , an aviation expert at the Ohio State University Aviation Research Center, stated that the risks of interference are most significant during instrument landings, when signals must remain accurate. He noted that extensive testing has not been conducted for all aircraft and mobile device combinations, making this precaution necessary.
In 2021, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned that 5G signals operating in certain frequency bands could degrade the performance of safety equipment using radio altimeters. Author: Ryan Grote / MEGA
The conversation also turned to another point of travel etiquette: standing up immediately after landing.
Shane admitted that he often gets up as soon as the plane lands.
Rudd agreed, saying, "I think I'm okay," though he noted that he tries not to get up until the plane has come to a complete stop.
According to aviation safety regulations, passengers must remain seated with their seatbelts fastened until the plane approaches the gate and the captain turns off the seatbelt indicator. Experts warn that moving around the cabin of an airplane on the taxiway can be dangerous.
Why did Rudd take part in the podcast?
Rudd's appearance was part of a publicity tour, not a casual visit. He appeared on a podcast to promote his new film. «"Power Ballad"» .
"Power Ballad" premiered at the 2026 Dublin International Film Festival before going on general release. Credit: Steven Bergman/AFF-USA.COM / MEGA
In the film, Rudd plays Rick Power, and Nick Jonas — Danny Wilson. The musical comedy, filmed in Dublin, was directed by John Carney . Film premiere «"Power Ballad"» was released in cinemas on May 29.
The Therapuss podcast, hosted by comedian Shane, has become one of the most popular podcasts since its launch in January 2024. The show has been ranked among Spotify's top podcasts and was included in Apple Podcasts' 20th anniversary list.
Most recently, Shane won the 2025 Webby Award for Best Comedy Series Creator and was named to the Best Content Creators list by Forbes for 2025.