Roaming in Canada while on FlyFi?
Nov 30, 2019 | 12:10 am
#1
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Roaming in Canada while on FlyFi?
Heading BOS to LGB last week and using FlyFi nicely, I got a text a bit over an hour out welcoming me to Canada by my carrier and letting me know my Travel Pass had been activated, and for just $5 I had 24 hours of roaming in Canada set up.
Of course I left Canada about 10 minutes later, per the seat map.
I was surprised my phone would pick up a land signal at 30,000 feet, especially while I was on wifi.
Returning as I type this, will certainly be on Airplane Mode before we hit any borders.
Is this common? Just me?
Of course I left Canada about 10 minutes later, per the seat map.
I was surprised my phone would pick up a land signal at 30,000 feet, especially while I was on wifi.
Returning as I type this, will certainly be on Airplane Mode before we hit any borders.
Is this common? Just me?
Nov 30, 2019 | 8:46 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2004
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It's very common for Boston to west-coast flights to fly over Canada for a portion of it (especially southern Ontario). I was once on a BOS-SEA flight where we flew north of Vermont and stayed in Canada until our Seattle approach.
As to your cell picking up a signal, I can't speak to that as I always put mine in airplane mode...except that since 600 & 700mhz signals have become more prevalent, that signal can easily carry 30+ miles from the tower.
As to your cell picking up a signal, I can't speak to that as I always put mine in airplane mode...except that since 600 & 700mhz signals have become more prevalent, that signal can easily carry 30+ miles from the tower.
Nov 30, 2019 | 8:50 am
#3
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Nov 30, 2019 | 9:07 am
#4
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Ironically enough, many domestic Canadian flights go through US airspace due to cheaper overnight charges. Remember, flights aren't just about time; most airlines optimize on cost which is a combination of speed, time, weather, overflight charges, crew costs, etc.
Last edited by YVRtoYYZ; Nov 30, 2019 at 9:36 am
Nov 30, 2019 | 12:48 pm
#6
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Not surprised about the Canada part, but about picking up a cell signal at that height and speed while using Wifi.
Done this trip on FlyFi a dozen times before without getting that kind of notice and charge.
Done this trip on FlyFi a dozen times before without getting that kind of notice and charge.
Nov 30, 2019 | 3:23 pm
#7
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I've picked up a cell signal a few times, but I don't ever think it happened over Canada!
Many of the westbound transcon flights this past week have been taking northerly tracks where winds were more favorable and to avoid weather in the midwest. There were a number of tech stops, especially on Wednesday.
-J.
Many of the westbound transcon flights this past week have been taking northerly tracks where winds were more favorable and to avoid weather in the midwest. There were a number of tech stops, especially on Wednesday.
-J.
Nov 30, 2019 | 7:07 pm
#8
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Weird thing is, I don’t think we even passed over Canada. I went back and looked at the flight path and we were nowhere near Canada. Plus I was on WiFi only (cellular turned off) so maybe it was something with the Viasat triangulation that made it think we were in Canada?
Dec 2, 2019 | 5:43 pm
#10
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I was using the phone at the time so it was doing it's "normal" draining. I do put it on Airplane mode when I'm not actively using it up there.
Was fully charged when we left Logan, still was over 50% when we landed at LGB. Probably used it for 60-90 minutes total en route, give or take.
Was fully charged when we left Logan, still was over 50% when we landed at LGB. Probably used it for 60-90 minutes total en route, give or take.
Dec 6, 2019 | 5:33 am
#12
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No point, I am sure, but I just never turned airplane mode on (phone had been turned off) and didn't think I would catch a cell signal up there, so I figured it wouldn't matter.