With social media being an all-too-dominant factor in our lives, concerns of the impacts on our professional lives have rippled through various industries. And this, unsurprising, has trickled down to aviation, especially in the case of air crew and especially pilots. So much so that in January 2025, the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) issued a critical notice urging pilots to stay away from social media during work hours.
This notice red flagged the dangers of pilots engaging in online activity while on duty, not only highlighting past cases, but giving a forewarning about the potential impact on their future careers, should previously posted content be dug up.
The IFALPA’s position was clear: pilots must recognise that the boundaries between personal and professional lives are becoming dangerously blurred. What might seem like an innocuous social media post can have serious consequences on both the safety of a flight and a pilot’s career. The rapid spread of information, and in many cases, misinformation, on social platforms has already shown just how detrimental posting can be for not only the individual, but the airline too, should something go wrong.
The Danger is Ominously Clear
The paper outlined several significant threats arising from the misuse of personal devices in the cockpit. There have been instances where personal cameras or phones interfered with flight controls. In one incident, a pilot’s camera pushed the side-stick as he moved his seat forward, lurching the plane into a rapid descent and injuring various passengers. In another, a device used for filming became jammed in the thrust levers, jamming them and leaving the plane inoperable. There have even been cases where dropped phones emitted smoke after being damaged in the cockpit, and even in a recent event, has resulted in an aircraft turning back due to catching light.
In addition to these immediate safety risks, IFALPA highlighted the potential long-term damage social media misuse could do to a pilot’s career. Personal content uploaded to social media is not protected by the same legal safeguards as cockpit recordings made for accident investigations. This lack of protection means that images or posts from or about pilots could later be used against them in disciplinary procedures or even contribute to their suspension or firing.
A Foreboding Premonition?
The tragic irony is that the IFALPA’s call to action was made just a few weeks before a devastating incident occurred, illustrating just why this was mandated in the first place.
The Delta Airlines crash that took place on Monday 17 February while attempting to land at Toronto Pearson International Airport, ignited a social media wildfire. A barrage of speculation, finger pointing, rumours and information misfirings followed. The airline, together with the crew faced a firestorm of viral posts and heated debates, fueled by incomplete and misleading information, with most of it aimed at the pilot, who was brushed with accusations of “inexperienced and under-qualification”.
One viral post pointed to a photo of said pilot and claimed that she had, only a year ago, been a light prop aircraft instructor and had only recently qualified to co-pilot a small jet. This naturally cast doubts on her ability to handle the snowy runway conditions. Delta Airlines refrained from releasing any specific details about the pilots involved, maintaining their policy of not publicly identifying crew members involved in incidents unless required by law. This decision only fueled further rumors.
Though many criticised the social media frenzy, one thing became clear: the spread of misinformation and the ease with which harmful content can be disseminated are dangers that aviation must confront. As public discussions around the incident unfolded, many focused on blaming individuals rather than examining the larger issues at play.
How Much Weight Does a Post Carry?
If this is not warning enough of the risks of social media, who knows what is. While you are able to control what version of yourself is portrayed online, the fact of the matter is that you simply cannot control others. A simple misstep or some slighted altered information can spiral horribly out of control.
It is crucial to recognise that social media can amplify false narratives and cause unnecessary damage to a pilot’s reputation, their airline’s image, and, most importantly, the safety of aviation operations.
The IFALPA are pushing pilots to fully grasp the potential risks of online engagement, especially when on duty. The case of Delta Airlines vividly demonstrates the sheer volume of online misinformation and just how much damage it can do to a career.
