diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/vcn/VcnGatewayConnection.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/vcn/VcnGatewayConnection.java
index be13168815d9f..584530c0f3bd4 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/vcn/VcnGatewayConnection.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/vcn/VcnGatewayConnection.java
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ import android.os.PowerManager;
 import android.os.PowerManager.WakeLock;
 import android.os.Process;
 import android.os.SystemClock;
+import android.provider.Settings;
 import android.util.ArraySet;
 import android.util.Slog;
 
@@ -788,8 +789,19 @@ public class VcnGatewayConnection extends StateMachine {
             // TODO(b/179091925): Move the delayed-message handling to BaseState
 
             // If underlying is null, all underlying networks have been lost. Disconnect VCN after a
-            // timeout.
+            // timeout (or immediately if in airplane mode, since the device user has indicated that
+            // the radios should all be turned off).
             if (underlying == null) {
+                if (mDeps.isAirplaneModeOn(mVcnContext)) {
+                    sendMessageAndAcquireWakeLock(
+                            EVENT_UNDERLYING_NETWORK_CHANGED,
+                            TOKEN_ALL,
+                            new EventUnderlyingNetworkChangedInfo(null));
+                    sendDisconnectRequestedAndAcquireWakelock(
+                            DISCONNECT_REASON_UNDERLYING_NETWORK_LOST, false /* shouldQuit */);
+                    return;
+                }
+
                 setDisconnectRequestAlarm();
             } else {
                 // Received a new Network so any previous alarm is irrelevant - cancel + clear it,
@@ -2424,6 +2436,12 @@ public class VcnGatewayConnection extends StateMachine {
                     validationStatusCallback);
         }
 
+        /** Checks if airplane mode is enabled. */
+        public boolean isAirplaneModeOn(@NonNull VcnContext vcnContext) {
+            return Settings.Global.getInt(vcnContext.getContext().getContentResolver(),
+                    Settings.Global.AIRPLANE_MODE_ON, 0) != 0;
+        }
+
         /** Gets the elapsed real time since boot, in millis. */
         public long getElapsedRealTime() {
             return SystemClock.elapsedRealtime();
diff --git a/tests/vcn/java/com/android/server/vcn/VcnGatewayConnectionConnectedStateTest.java b/tests/vcn/java/com/android/server/vcn/VcnGatewayConnectionConnectedStateTest.java
index 15de226cdc407..e547400fff73f 100644
--- a/tests/vcn/java/com/android/server/vcn/VcnGatewayConnectionConnectedStateTest.java
+++ b/tests/vcn/java/com/android/server/vcn/VcnGatewayConnectionConnectedStateTest.java
@@ -118,6 +118,8 @@ public class VcnGatewayConnectionConnectedStateTest extends VcnGatewayConnection
 
     @Test
     public void testNullNetworkDoesNotTriggerDisconnect() throws Exception {
+        doReturn(false).when(mDeps).isAirplaneModeOn(any());
+
         mGatewayConnection
                 .getUnderlyingNetworkControllerCallback()
                 .onSelectedUnderlyingNetworkChanged(null);
@@ -128,6 +130,19 @@ public class VcnGatewayConnectionConnectedStateTest extends VcnGatewayConnection
         verifyDisconnectRequestAlarmAndGetCallback(false /* expectCanceled */);
     }
 
+    @Test
+    public void testNullNetworkAirplaneModeDisconnects() throws Exception {
+        doReturn(true).when(mDeps).isAirplaneModeOn(any());
+
+        mGatewayConnection
+                .getUnderlyingNetworkControllerCallback()
+                .onSelectedUnderlyingNetworkChanged(null);
+        mTestLooper.dispatchAll();
+
+        assertEquals(mGatewayConnection.mDisconnectingState, mGatewayConnection.getCurrentState());
+        verify(mIkeSession).kill();
+    }
+
     @Test
     public void testNewNetworkTriggersMigration() throws Exception {
         mGatewayConnection