WiFi Calling (for texts) on Delta Doesn't Work
#1
Original Poster

Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 5
WiFi Calling (for texts) on Delta Doesn't Work
Does anyone else have issues with wifi-calling while flying with Delta? I sign on with the free skymiles internet, but then my wifi calling from t-mobile doesn't work.
I remember it used to work when I was paying for a monthly gogo subscription, but I'm not sure if they block wifi calling now? I want to use it for texting (I'm on Android), and sometimes need it for verification codes, but I keep getting error code ER081 when trying to connect. Has been happening for the past year.
I escalated with t-mobile and they said the times I mentioned trying to connect and I couldn't, they didn't show any attempted connection on their end, which meant it was being blocked somewhere along the chain.
I remember it used to work when I was paying for a monthly gogo subscription, but I'm not sure if they block wifi calling now? I want to use it for texting (I'm on Android), and sometimes need it for verification codes, but I keep getting error code ER081 when trying to connect. Has been happening for the past year.
I escalated with t-mobile and they said the times I mentioned trying to connect and I couldn't, they didn't show any attempted connection on their end, which meant it was being blocked somewhere along the chain.
#3


Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 724
I have been on T-Mobile since about 2014 or so. I do recall making a few test calls when this feature was first included in my plan in 2022, but I believe since then it has no longer worked, so I suspect voice service has been blocked.
I have a flight on Alaska Air in two days, and will try and make a test call on the departing and return flights as a test on their system. I will post both flight results as they occur. Or Shortly Thereafter, If I Don't Get Service, LOL
I have a flight on Alaska Air in two days, and will try and make a test call on the departing and return flights as a test on their system. I will post both flight results as they occur. Or Shortly Thereafter, If I Don't Get Service, LOL
#4




Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Long Island, NY
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite/Lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum Medallion, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 752
It rarely works for me on Delta with my T-Mobile line, but ironically usually works 80-100% of the time with my work Verizon line.
#6


Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 724
#7


Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 724
Well, I spaced out and forgot all about testing WiFi calling on the free T-Mobile data for my outgoing flight. The return nonstop was also Alaska and WiFi calling did not work. I only tried the T-Mobile line, but attempted 4 tries with no success. I really didn't expect it to connect based on experiences from the past year experiments.
#8



Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM+(segs)/MM, UA Ag, Hilton DM, Marriott Ti (life Pt), TSA Opt-out Platinum
Posts: 3,366
Considering DL (et al) make announcements about not engaging in voice calls during flights, I doubt you'll get much support from them. I actually wish mine did NOT work (ATT).
This. I join Teams calls often (as a listener only, type out a chat if I need to interact). The presentations and video actually work well on Viasat equipped aircraft.
This. I join Teams calls often (as a listener only, type out a chat if I need to interact). The presentations and video actually work well on Viasat equipped aircraft.
#9
Original Poster

Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 5
I also have this same problem and noticed it started when they did the free wifi thing. I'm on a flight right now from MEM to MSP that has the old wifi, where you have to pay or enter your mobile number, and the texting works fine.
I'm going to submit feedback on the website and also call the diamond line to bring this up. I went through to the highest level at t mobile tech support and they said it's not anything in their end, took about 2 weeks and they tracked the times of my flights and said there was no connection registering on their end for wifi calling during those times so it's being blocked by delta.
The silver lining is that it does work on some flights that haven't upgraded to the free wifi for Skymiles members.
I'm going to submit feedback on the website and also call the diamond line to bring this up. I went through to the highest level at t mobile tech support and they said it's not anything in their end, took about 2 weeks and they tracked the times of my flights and said there was no connection registering on their end for wifi calling during those times so it's being blocked by delta.
The silver lining is that it does work on some flights that haven't upgraded to the free wifi for Skymiles members.
#10



Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,045
I have two lines a Google Fi line (T-Mobile) and Verizon, both work perfectly fine in terms of Wi-Fi Calling (VoWiFi) on DELTA's Free ViaSat Wi-Fi offering.
I do not know if using Android devices make the difference or not, but I use two Galaxy S24 Ultras, so I cannot speak to iOS.
I do not know if using Android devices make the difference or not, but I use two Galaxy S24 Ultras, so I cannot speak to iOS.
#11




Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somewhere in Florida
Posts: 2,889
Do you know which messaging client you are using? I've been using Google's Messages client on my Samsung S10+ and I've had mixed results. RCS seems to work fine, MMS (pictures) seems to not work. IIRC, SMS was working.

