Occasional Inflight iMessages Received (but didn't pay for access)
#76
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Platinum, UA Million Miler
Posts: 2,596
I forgot to add that if someone sent me a URL via iMessage that also worked
#80
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
Why was I able to text during a flight?
On a UA flight last night I was surprised to receive a text message mid-flight from a friend. Shortly after that, I received another one from someone else. I was able to respond to the texts and continued to exchange messages. This was the first time that I experienced being able to do this. I was on a 738, my phone was on airplane mode and I did not pay for wi-fi. How was this possible?
#82
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,402
The port for push notifications is open on some of the 737s and A319/20 planes, which means you can get (and send) iMessages as well as push alerts so long as you are connected to the plane's wifi, even just the free version.
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,866
I sometimes can get/send Gmail on my Android when connected to WiFi (the free version that allows for connections to United-related sites).
My Weather Channel App also keeps changing its "current location" to whatever city/town that we're over on some flights, but not on others.
Google Maps (the map itself, not the blue location dot, which is almost always accurate) updates on some flights but not on others.
My Weather Channel App also keeps changing its "current location" to whatever city/town that we're over on some flights, but not on others.
Google Maps (the map itself, not the blue location dot, which is almost always accurate) updates on some flights but not on others.
#86
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,291
#87
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,424
Delta has it on all wifi-equipped airplanes, while United's iteration is more of a "bug" than a "feature", insofar as it's not a deliberate decision to offer free inflight texting.
AA backed off its plan to do the same as DL.
My fear is the more we discuss it, the more likely it is UA implements a fix to eliminate this loophole, which would be a shame.
AA backed off its plan to do the same as DL.
My fear is the more we discuss it, the more likely it is UA implements a fix to eliminate this loophole, which would be a shame.
#88
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
Thanks for the info. I was surprised that this happened. Interestingly, a UA FA on my previous international flight told me that I should use Google’s Allo app because you can text while in flight. I wonder if it works on international flights?
#89
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,065
Delta has it on all wifi-equipped airplanes, while United's iteration is more of a "bug" than a "feature", insofar as it's not a deliberate decision to offer free inflight texting.
AA backed off its plan to do the same as DL.
My fear is the more we discuss it, the more likely it is UA implements a fix to eliminate this loophole, which would be a shame.
AA backed off its plan to do the same as DL.
My fear is the more we discuss it, the more likely it is UA implements a fix to eliminate this loophole, which would be a shame.
The craziest access I had was on a UAX flight a year or two ago where Apple Maps was in constant update mode for the flight. It's weird to see the map moving underneath the current location at 500 mph or whatever. I think I only saw this on one flight.
#90
formerly skyccord
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: United Premier Platinum, Hertz President Circle, Marriott/SPG Premier Plat Elite, Avis Preferred
Posts: 269