Middle_Seat

Can someone suggest an Android app for communicating with friends onboard the same flight?

My wife and I will be doing a TATL in separate cabins later this year. We are looking for an app for texting (and maybe voice) over BT or Wifi during the flight.

Any recommendations?

Yoshi212

As a fellow traveler I cannot implore you more to not use a voice service while on a plane if texting is possible.

Skype, Signal, Facebook Messenger and a bunch of others work over wifi.

Intercom is for Android via wifi and bluetooth.

vletnguyen

Many here suggest "FireChat". I have not personally used it on a plane before.

Middle_Seat

Agreed on avoiding voice if at all possible.

Skype seems to require internet, which is what I'm trying to avoid for use in flight. Signal also seems to require internet. Intercom for Android doesn't need internet, but it also is voice-only. People complain big-time about Firechat's ads and battery usage.

Possible solutions that I plan to try are Bluetooth Messenger by MaxDotA and Bluetooth Chat by Emparador.

LATER:
Bluetooth Messenger seemed OK, although it did not seem to do any sort of Notification when a text came in. After some experimenting, it began sending gibberish instead of text...re-starting the app in both devices solved that issue. The premium version costs $3.99. The lack of notification seems to be the big issue.

chrisrozon

BlueTooth will give you max 30-50 feet separation before the connection drops - best case. In normal circumstances, any metal or plastic walls or dividers between you will kill a BT connection way faster.

Duke787

IMO your best bet is just paying for WiFi and using WhatsApp (or GroupMe). What carrier are you on? Some have specific "mobile-only" plans that are a touch lower than the full blown WiFi plan

Did some random Googling and found this article. Maybe one of these would be useful? https://www.geckoandfly.com/22562/ch...-mesh-network/

Firechat looks most promising and I saw it mentioned elsewhere here:

http://mashtips.com/android-offline-messaging-apps/

Often1

Unless the carrier prohibits voice comms having nothing to do with the technology chosen.

There is a reason for this and most experienced travelers support it.

Middle_Seat

This is for use on an airliner on a TATL flight, between the Business and the Coach areas of the plane. The distance will be small, and the only barrier will be a cloth curtain.

OskiBear

Depending on the airline/aircraft, they may already have a chat system built-in. American has one on its 77W - and perhaps more aircraft

LufthansaFlyer

I moved this over to travel tools where I think it will get more traction.....

Dubai Stu

The newest version of slack allows Bluetooth communication.