Nov 10, 2016, 3:30 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Can I use my cell phone or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service for voice communications or videoconferencing while inflight?
Although you are allowed to use your cell phone in airplane mode for activities such as surfing the Internet and sending email, we do not allow the use of our onboard Internet service for voice communication or videoconferencing through a cell phone, VoIP or any similar service. Voice and video calls are not permitted. By purchasing an Internet plan and accessing our service on board, you agree not to make voice or video calls, including but not limited to VoIP, in flight.
Although you are allowed to use your cell phone in airplane mode for activities such as surfing the Internet and sending email, we do not allow the use of our onboard Internet service for voice communication or videoconferencing through a cell phone, VoIP or any similar service. Voice and video calls are not permitted. By purchasing an Internet plan and accessing our service on board, you agree not to make voice or video calls, including but not limited to VoIP, in flight.
[CONSOLIDATED] United WiFi and phone calls: WiFi Calling, VOIP apps, & etc discussion
Apr 29, 2015, 10:39 pm
#16
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
UA's Inflight Wi-Fi
If you purchase an Internet plan on board, you can surf the Internet and send emails. Please note that we do not allow the use of our onboard Internet service for voice communication or videoconferencing through a cell phone, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or any similar device or service. Voice and video calls are expressly prohibited.
Can I use my cell phone or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service for voice communications or videoconferencing while inflight?
Although you are allowed to use your cell phone in airplane mode for activities such as surfing the Internet and sending email, we do not allow the use of our onboard Internet service for voice communication or videoconferencing through a cell phone, VoIP or any similar service. Voice and video calls are not permitted. By purchasing an Internet plan and accessing our service on board, you agree not to make voice or video calls, including but not limited to VoIP, in flight.
Although you are allowed to use your cell phone in airplane mode for activities such as surfing the Internet and sending email, we do not allow the use of our onboard Internet service for voice communication or videoconferencing through a cell phone, VoIP or any similar service. Voice and video calls are not permitted. By purchasing an Internet plan and accessing our service on board, you agree not to make voice or video calls, including but not limited to VoIP, in flight.
Apr 29, 2015, 11:21 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Virgin Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 204
yes, this is fairly clear cut (one can discuss if the policy is appropriate but the policy is clear)
UA's Inflight Wi-Fi
and
UA's Inflight Wi-Fi
and
Apr 30, 2015, 12:49 am
#19
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: The electrified part of North Carolina
Programs: UA GM, AA GM, DL GM
Posts: 4,157
Appreciate that the policy is clear, but now to appropriate: is listening to a podcast different from listening to an earnings call different from listening to a conference call (without talking)? (of course, talking on the call may be more disruptive - more of a political discussion than policy though)
1. Disturbing other passengers.
2. Bandwidth issues. According to Skype, video calling requires at least 128 kbps. It doesn't take many simultaneous video calls to cause issues for others who want to surf the web and/or send some emails. Listening to a podcast downloaded before the flight obviously wouldn't cause any issues, listening in on a conference call may cause issues if a lot of people do it.
Apr 30, 2015, 3:40 am
#20
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SIN
Programs: UA 1K MM, SQ PPS, CX Silver, Accor Platinum, Marriott Gold, SPG Silver
Posts: 679
I'd like to point out emirates allows voice cellular calls, over their on board cell network. I've neither been bothered by anyone, nor seen anything saying you could not do it over US airspace.
While I don't have any major love does the idea of people sitting next to me gabbing, the amount of vitriol in this thread is laughable (and I've made both Skype and FaceTime calls once or twice in urgent work situations in C over the pacific). I Kept it short and quiet, and no one scowled. VPNs have their benefits!
While I don't have any major love does the idea of people sitting next to me gabbing, the amount of vitriol in this thread is laughable (and I've made both Skype and FaceTime calls once or twice in urgent work situations in C over the pacific). I Kept it short and quiet, and no one scowled. VPNs have their benefits!
Apr 30, 2015, 4:15 am
#21
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Avis First, Hertz PC
Posts: 575
Is it possible the FA thought it was a cellular call?
I always assumed FAs (and most folks) understood that land based cellular service did not work beyond 2-3 miles from a tower.
During the Malaysian 370 discussions, so many Americans were asking about cell phone access over the Indian ocean, underwater, etc that I started to wonder if many folks think cell phones are magical devices that can access their networks from anywhere. This may be a case of lack of education on the subject.
I always assumed FAs (and most folks) understood that land based cellular service did not work beyond 2-3 miles from a tower.
During the Malaysian 370 discussions, so many Americans were asking about cell phone access over the Indian ocean, underwater, etc that I started to wonder if many folks think cell phones are magical devices that can access their networks from anywhere. This may be a case of lack of education on the subject.
Apr 30, 2015, 4:28 am
#22
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: LAX,SNA,SAN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott LP, Hertz Gold
Posts: 861
"Pretty sure voice communication is against FAA regulations."
It's all data, nothing different, bytes and bits. Against policy, of course, per the written rules, probably because of annoying other passengers and a bandwidth hog if everyone did it. Other than that, VoIP is basically every call in the world these days.
It's all data, nothing different, bytes and bits. Against policy, of course, per the written rules, probably because of annoying other passengers and a bandwidth hog if everyone did it. Other than that, VoIP is basically every call in the world these days.
Apr 30, 2015, 4:59 am
#23
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,895
Consensus here is that it really is against the law ("illegal") to violate an airline regulation which has been vetted by the FAA (a "rule").
Not 100% sure what specifically the law is. Maybe have a look at CFR title 14 somewhere near section 121 and let us know what you find out.
Also not sure what penalty you (or the airline) face for violation of the law. You are required by U.S. law to face the American flag whenever the national anthem is being played, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/36/301 , but there are no penalties.
Not 100% sure what specifically the law is. Maybe have a look at CFR title 14 somewhere near section 121 and let us know what you find out.
Also not sure what penalty you (or the airline) face for violation of the law. You are required by U.S. law to face the American flag whenever the national anthem is being played, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/36/301 , but there are no penalties.
Apr 30, 2015, 6:41 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,930
Apr 30, 2015, 8:14 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50k, A3*G, UA*S, MR Titanium, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 3,669
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (BB10; Touch) AppleWebKit/537.35+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/10.2.1.3442 Mobile Safari/537.35+)
Mid-air? 
Originally Posted by cfischer
I hope they offload any pax immediately and ban him/her from flying UA again in the future. This kind of behavior is just unacceptable.
Apr 30, 2015, 8:40 am
#27
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: DL
Posts: 963
Count me in as someone who hopes to be dead before the use (and abuse) becomes widespread. I have a pretty important job and need to be in close contact most of the time, but I know the world will continue to rotate even if I'm unreachable for periods of time.
Apr 30, 2015, 8:49 am
#28
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,477
I have also experienced people who use cell phones in public places and who don't abuse it. However, I have been in plenty of situations where it is abused and annoying. A plane isn't like many other places where you can get up and move - and there are already inherent stresses to flying, including forced close proximity to others.
Count me in as someone who hopes to be dead before the use (and abuse) becomes widespread. I have a pretty important job and need to be in close contact most of the time, but I know the world will continue to rotate even if I'm unreachable for periods of time.
Count me in as someone who hopes to be dead before the use (and abuse) becomes widespread. I have a pretty important job and need to be in close contact most of the time, but I know the world will continue to rotate even if I'm unreachable for periods of time.
There is some percentage of people who insist on yelling into their cell phones. I've sat next to that passenger before, and the time on the ground before they close the door is just miserable.
