Hi PixelMan,

You are right, you are not allowed to use your mobile phone while traveling by plane. So, the Airplane mode disables the wireless features of the iPhone, in such a way that no kind of signal (radio, phone, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or GPS) is emitted. This means that you won't be able to make / receive calls, send / receive emails, send / receive text messages, browse the Internet, get weather reports / map locations / stock quotes, listen to music or watch videos, sync your contacts and use iTunes Wi-Fi music store / App Store.

After takeoff, if the “aircraft operator and applicable laws and regulations” permit it, you can still use the non-wireless features and listen to music, watch videos, take / view photos, use the calculator, take notes or read the text and email messages stored on the iPhone.

Enjoy your iPhone,
Robert Stevens