In this fast world, texting on a cell phone is a common activity. Especially when you’re on a long trip, you’ll need to be in touch with your family and friends.
If you’re on a business trip or a journey to explore the world, you must be curious if you can text on a plane.
As the airline attendants announce, turn off the mobile or turn on airplane mode. You are unable to stay in touch with your colleagues, co-workers and everyone else.
So Can You Text On A Plane?
To answer most of your queries, you must read below.
We check the airline rules and regulations. Also, go through the Twitter account and gather correct and right answers to make travel easy for you.
Technically yes; you can text on a plane with a wifi network. You are not allowed to use cellular data on the plane.
There is one common way to connect with people outside the plane, which is a wifi connection. The wifi connection the airline provides allows you to use social media platforms like whatsapp, Facebook messenger, Snapchat and Telegram.
The FAA( Federal Aviation Administration) asks that cellular data not be allowed to be used in the plane. It can interrupt the pilot and traffic controller. It suggests using the wifi network for messages on the plane and avoiding cellular networks.
Here is the FAA statement:
“The FCC and FAA ban cell phones for airborne use because their signals could interfere with critical aircraft instruments. Devices must be used in airplane mode or with the cellular connection disabled.
You may use the wifi connection on your device if the plane has an installed system and the airline allows its use.”
Why Can’t You Text On A Plane? (Cellular Network)
Because the cellular network is not allowed to be used on the plane, that’s why it’s not possible to text on a plane.
The airline security does not allow you to make phone calls and messages through cellular networks. That is why you must turn your mobile on airplane mode.
But you can still message on a plane. Many airlines allow you to use the wifi connection on the airplane.
So you can text via internet services. You can text through whatsapp, Telegram and Instagram apps.
The FAA suggested not using the cellular network on the plane as it interrupts the pilot and the traffic controller. So it’s good to avoid using cellular data on the plane.
In essence, you can make texts or calls through the wifi system installed on the airplane. Must get permission to use the wifi connection on mobile from the airline attendants as it can avoid any risk.
How To Text On A Plane?
You are allowed to text on a plane with wifi connectivity. You can text if your phone has a wifi connection with an airplane network.
If you are boarding and waiting for others, you can text or call using your cell phone. As you know, the airplane rules clearly state that a passenger must turn the mobile on airplane mode.
So the phone is unable to connect with the communication tower. That’s why your phone must be in airplane mode when you’re on a plane and taking off.
If your phone is not on, then how is it possible to communicate or text anyone?
The first thing is you can text on the plane. Just enable your wifi and connect to the aeroplane’s wifi connection. Many airlines offer wifi for free. By using it, you can easily text others via the internet.
Airlines like
- Alaska Airline
- Delta Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
When connected to the wifi, you can send or receive messages via the internet. These messages include the following:
- Facebook Messages
- iMessage
If you have apps like whatsapp and Facebook, you can easily use wifi and connect to your friends and family.
You can share your videos and pictures through the internet. You can record videos outside the plane through the plane window and save these memories on your phone.
Also Read: How Strict Is Delta On Checked Baggage Weight?
Can I Make A Phone Call?
No, you’re not allowed to make a phone call on a plane. The airline security prohibits the use of cellular networks on the plane. Your mobile phone has to turn on airplane mode. That is why it is not possible to connect with cellular networks.
If the plane has a wifi network, you can connect to the wifi and send text and call through wifi. You can use WhatsApp, Facebook, and iMessage.
As for the calls, wifi calls are prohibited on the plane. It makes noise, so many passengers are disturbed; therefore, passengers are not allowed to make calls on the plane.
They must be calm and relaxed and read some books on the flight. But the voice calls can create noise in the plane.
If you want a short and quick phone call, then it’s not a big deal.
But we’re recommended to not use the cellular network on planes and phone calls. Just send and receive messages via wifi.
Can You Text On Instagram On A Plane?
Yes, you can text on Instagram on a plane. You can use the wifi connection on the mobile already installed on the plane.
You can use social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, whats app, and Instagram through the wifi network.
As a traveler, you must want to connect with your friends and family each and every moment of your travel.
You make messages and send pictures of your trip during the flight. To fulfill this moment, you can freely use Instagram via wifi connectivity.
You cannot use cellular networks on planes as it is not allowed, so you don’t need to worry about how to stay in touch with friends.
The FAA allowed the use of wifi connections on planes. As already installed on the airplane, remember to get permission from the attendants.
Also Read: How Long Does Baggage Claim Take?
Can You Text On WhatsApp On A Plane?
You can text on WhatsApp on a plane by using a wifi connection.
The airline security instructed you to use the wifi network already installed on the airplane. A passenger cannot use the cellular network on a plane.
Delta Airlines allowed passengers to use the wifi connection on mobile for free. You need to get permission to use the free wifi connection. Otherwise, it will cause trouble for you.
In short, you can freely use whatsapp on a plane by wifi connection. Otherwise, it is not permitted to use the cellular network on airplanes.
You need to turn the mobile on airplane mode as the airline instructed.
Why Do You Need To Put Your Phone In Airplane Mode While Traveling?
The simple answer is if you don’t put your phone in airplane mode while traveling, the cell phone can connect with cell towers. That’s why it clearly stated that passengers are not allowed to turn on the network.
If you think a plane would crash if I don’t put my phone in airplane mode on the plane. Then it’s wrong because the phone network will not be able to crash the plane.
It’s normal when traveling on airplanes. Everyone knows that. You must find the seat, put the carry-on bag in the cabin and turn the cell phone in airplane mode. After taking off, get the airplane mode on.
Have you ever considered why turning the cell phone on airplane mode is so important?
To switch your phone to airplane mode, turn mobile to unable to communicate with the communication tower. It turns off the bluetooth and wifi network.
You will be able to watch the downloaded material on your mobile, laptop and kindle.
If you turn off the airplane and wifi modes separately, you can use the wifi on the plane.
Most planes have a wifi network, so you’ll connect your mobile to wifi. This way you’ll be able to use the internet on the plane.
In short, if you don’t put your mobile in airplane mode, your phone is able to communicate with the communication tower around it.
During a flight, your mobile will probably disturb air traffic controllers and pilots if you don’t put off airplane mode.
Also Read: Can You Bring Handcuffs On The Plane?
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Much Does It Cost To Text On A Plane?
It’s not free of cost to use the wifi on planes. Some flights offer wifi connections on plane but with minimum cost. Here is the list of airlines which offer internet access at cost.
American Airlines :
Most American airlines flying in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada use Gogo and Viasat for in-flight. They have almost wifi access on all flights starting from $10.
Do All Planes Have Wifi?
No, all planes don’t have a wifi connection. These airlines allowed passengers to do free-of-cost text on a plane.
If you connect through the wifi connection carried by these airlines, you don’t need to pay any cost for messages via internet access.
Airlines including:
- JetBlue Airways
- Southwest Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
Final Answer:
You cannot text on a plane using a cellular network on mobile3. The FAA clearly stated that a passenger could not use the cellular network on a plane instead of using the wifi connection.
Make sure the wifi network is already installed on the plane. You can text and send photos on the plane by using internet access.
Using different social networking sites such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and Instagram.
You can stay in touch with your friends and family by using the internet on your mobile.
Many of the airlines allowed internet service for free in flight.
Airlines include :
JetBlue Airways and Delta Airlines allowed passengers to do free-of-cost text on a plane via the internet.
Using internet access, you can share your memories with your friends and family in flight.
Safe Travel:
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