Paul Rudd calls airplane mode ‘nonsense,’ sparks airline etiquette debate

Actor Paul Rudd sparked a lighthearted debate about airline etiquette after calling airplane mode “bullshit” in a recent podcast.

Rudd made the comments on the May 28 episode of Jake Shane’s “Therapuss” podcast.

During a conversation about common airline rules, Rudd questioned various instructions passengers are routinely given before takeoff and landing, including removing tray tables, moving seats to an upright position and switching phones to airplane mode.

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“I think this is all nonsense,” Rudd said.

When Shane specifically asked about airplane mode, Rudd doubled down.

“I know this is bullshit,” he said.

Shane replied: “I just put it on airplane mode because it’s not going to work either way so I might as well save some battery.”

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Rudd accepted this reasoning but stated that he believed the rule stemmed from concerns about radio frequencies interfering with aircraft communications systems.

Rudd may have questioned the rule, but the Federal Aviation Administration is very clear. Passengers need to put devices on airplane mode or disable cellular connections during the flight.

While discussing standard airline procedures, Rudd (pictured) questioned instructions such as stacking tray tables, moving seats upright and switching phones to airplane mode, calling them “utter nonsense”. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

Aviation experts say this setting helps prevent cellular signals from interfering with cockpit communications and pilots’ headsets, as Fox News Digital previously reported.

The conversation also touched on another long-standing travel debate: Should passengers stand up as soon as the plane lands?

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Shane admitted that he was among the passengers who left their seats when the plane arrived; this was a habit Rudd defended.

“I think it’s OK,” Rudd said.

The podcast conversation also delved into the long-running debate about whether passengers should stand up immediately after landing. (iStock)

Fox News Digital previously reported that this behavior divided passengers, with some people citing leg cramps and tight bindings, while others viewed it as impatient or inconsiderate of others.

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“For safety reasons, it is best to remain seated unless there is room to move freely,” Texas-based national etiquette expert Diane Gottsman told Fox News Digital.

“It’s a definite etiquette error to go into the hallway and try to push,” he added.

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Beyond the discussion of airline etiquette, Rudd also shared one of his favorite memories with wife Julie Yaeger during the podcast.

The actor recalled taking a spontaneous trip to Atlantic City while Yaeger was pregnant, which unexpectedly turned into a perfect night out.

Rudd also recalled an impromptu trip to Atlantic City with his wife, Julie Yaeger, while she was pregnant. He said it turned out to be a perfect night. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

The couple received a free hotel suite, tickets to see the Boston band and won thousands of dollars playing video poker.

“He just kept getting better and better and better,” Rudd said.

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Rudd and Yaeger have been married since 2003 and have two children, Jack and Darby.

The actor’s latest film, “Power Ballad”, premiered in theaters on May 29.

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Fox News Digital has reached out to Rudd’s representatives for further comment.