http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/14/tech/mobile/phones-in-flight/index.html http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/14/tech/mobile/phones-in-flig... > The maximum distanc

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/14/tech/mobile/phones-in-flight/index.html http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/14/tech/mobile/phones-in-flig... > The maximum distance at which a phone can still make calls and send texts varies depending on the type of tower and transmitter, but an airplane would have to be no more than 10,000 feet in the air for any cell phones on board to still have a signal, If the plane offered cell connectivity itself it's another matter entirely. Those planes sure did not.