Inflight messaging with Google project Fi
Mar 3, 2019, 3:02 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: GSP
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 75
Inflight messaging with Google project Fi
When Delta first introduced free inflight messaging it was great. On Project Fi it just worked like a normal SMS message through the standard message app. Just select free messaging from the Gogo splash screen and I was running.
The past 8-10 months it hasn't worked correctly. It seemed to stop working when they changed the SSID to DeltaWifi. Could totally be unrelated.
It does work if I buy an internet session, but I don't usually do that as my flights are mostly under 3 hours.
I've tried to chat with Gogo support, but they aren't much help.
Anyone else have this issue and a work around?
The past 8-10 months it hasn't worked correctly. It seemed to stop working when they changed the SSID to DeltaWifi. Could totally be unrelated.
It does work if I buy an internet session, but I don't usually do that as my flights are mostly under 3 hours.
I've tried to chat with Gogo support, but they aren't much help.
Anyone else have this issue and a work around?
Mar 3, 2019, 4:06 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Meechigan
Posts: 1,006
When Delta first introduced free inflight messaging it was great. On Project Fi it just worked like a normal SMS message through the standard message app. Just select free messaging from the Gogo splash screen and I was running.
The past 8-10 months it hasn't worked correctly. It seemed to stop working when they changed the SSID to DeltaWifi. Could totally be unrelated.
It does work if I buy an internet session, but I don't usually do that as my flights are mostly under 3 hours.
I've tried to chat with Gogo support, but they aren't much help.
Anyone else have this issue and a work around?
The past 8-10 months it hasn't worked correctly. It seemed to stop working when they changed the SSID to DeltaWifi. Could totally be unrelated.
It does work if I buy an internet session, but I don't usually do that as my flights are mostly under 3 hours.
I've tried to chat with Gogo support, but they aren't much help.
Anyone else have this issue and a work around?
. Even though the Delta free messaging signin says it only supports imessage, FB and WhatsApp, it always worked for me until sometime last year.I'm pretty sure this issue started before Google switched Fi to RCS chat earlier this year, but I could be wrong.
Mar 3, 2019, 4:50 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: GSP
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 75
Mar 3, 2019, 6:23 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: GSP
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 75
Now it's just texting over WiFi, but it does bring up a good point. Maybe they intentionally blocked SMS messaging over WiFi. More or less white list imessage, Facebook, and what'sapp.
Mar 4, 2019, 5:50 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: GSP
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 75
I also sent an email to Gogo about this, here is the response:
"Thank you for contacting Gogo. Actually we weren't aware that Google Project Fi wasnt working with the free messaging, we don't get much reports of Google Project Fi users (to not say none). I will pass this information to tech team so they can take a look and verify what is going on. We will get back to you once we have news from tech team."
So it looks like Gogo does what to support project Fi messaging. If/when they get back to be I will update this thread. So far, I'm impressed with Gogo's response. Less than 12 hour response and actually helpful. Hopefully they can implement a fix.
Mar 4, 2019, 6:01 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 890
Standard message app is what I'm trying to use.
I also sent an email to Gogo about this, here is the response:
"Thank you for contacting Gogo. Actually we weren't aware that Google Project Fi wasnt working with the free messaging, we don't get much reports of Google Project Fi users (to not say none). I will pass this information to tech team so they can take a look and verify what is going on. We will get back to you once we have news from tech team."
So it looks like Gogo does what to support project Fi messaging. If/when they get back to be I will update this thread. So far, I'm impressed with Gogo's response. Less than 12 hour response and actually helpful. Hopefully they can implement a fix.
I also sent an email to Gogo about this, here is the response:
"Thank you for contacting Gogo. Actually we weren't aware that Google Project Fi wasnt working with the free messaging, we don't get much reports of Google Project Fi users (to not say none). I will pass this information to tech team so they can take a look and verify what is going on. We will get back to you once we have news from tech team."
So it looks like Gogo does what to support project Fi messaging. If/when they get back to be I will update this thread. So far, I'm impressed with Gogo's response. Less than 12 hour response and actually helpful. Hopefully they can implement a fix.
Mar 4, 2019, 6:26 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,181
Free iMessage has worked on all 4 DL flights I was on this week. I cannot text from my iPhone to an Android. I note that it is becoming available more from gate to gate than having to wait until 10,000 feet depending on the aircraft. I also note that free iMessage is disabled once I decide to upgrade my access during the flight and pay for wifi.
Mar 4, 2019, 7:32 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: GSP
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 75
Free iMessage has worked on all 4 DL flights I was on this week. I cannot text from my iPhone to an Android. I note that it is becoming available more from gate to gate than having to wait until 10,000 feet depending on the aircraft. I also note that free iMessage is disabled once I decide to upgrade my access during the flight and pay for wifi.
iPhones on Project Fi don't have the full capabilities of the Android options. Specifically they don't have the Wifi SMS and calling options. iMessage should work properly inflight iPhone-iPhone. That's an Apple service not a real SMS, it's more similar to hangouts or whatsapp than a text message.
Mar 4, 2019, 8:34 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
I also sent an email to Gogo about this, here is the response:
"Thank you for contacting Gogo. Actually we weren't aware that Google Project Fi wasnt working with the free messaging, we don't get much reports of Google Project Fi users (to not say none). I will pass this information to tech team so they can take a look and verify what is going on. We will get back to you once we have news from tech team."
So it looks like Gogo does what to support project Fi messaging. If/when they get back to be I will update this thread. So far, I'm impressed with Gogo's response. Less than 12 hour response and actually helpful. Hopefully they can implement a fix.
"Thank you for contacting Gogo. Actually we weren't aware that Google Project Fi wasnt working with the free messaging, we don't get much reports of Google Project Fi users (to not say none). I will pass this information to tech team so they can take a look and verify what is going on. We will get back to you once we have news from tech team."
So it looks like Gogo does what to support project Fi messaging. If/when they get back to be I will update this thread. So far, I'm impressed with Gogo's response. Less than 12 hour response and actually helpful. Hopefully they can implement a fix.
Mar 4, 2019, 9:36 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 68
I'm not on Fi anymore (T-Mobile now), but also noticed that texts had stopped working for me as well. I was poking around in my phone's settings and noticed that under SIM&Network settings>Enhanced Communication>Wi-Fi Calling>" Use WIFI calling when available" had been disabled. Once I enabled it again, I was able to send SMS and MMS without issue. Also, under the same menu "Calling Preference" should also be set to Wi-Fi preferred. I know Fi's menu labels are a bit different than Oxygen OS on my OnePlus 5, but it might not hurt to check.
Last edited by flyinggolfer; Mar 4, 2019 at 9:49 am
Mar 4, 2019, 10:02 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 890
I'm not on Fi anymore (T-Mobile now), but also noticed that texts had stopped working for me as well. I was poking around in my phone's settings and noticed that under SIM&Network settings>Enhanced Communication>Wi-Fi Calling>" Use WIFI calling when available" had been disabled. Once I enabled it again, I was able to send SMS and MMS without issue. Also, under the same menu "Calling Preference" should also be set to Wi-Fi preferred. I know Fi's menu labels are a bit different than Oxygen OS on my OnePlus 5, but it might not hurt to check.
Mar 4, 2019, 11:01 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: GSP
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 75
I, too, have a Fi phone and noticed that messaging stopped working, and so have an interest in the outcome. However, I'm going to say it's a long way from a happy customer service rep thru management to set tech priorities - even if if is their intent and/or contractual obligation to support basic Fi messaging on Delta.
They at least recognized that there is an issue and that they should support it. Hopefully something will come of it. Maybe if enough people send in an email requesting Project Fi support, they will move it up the list. I sent my email to: [email protected]