Does WhatsApp Work on Airplane Mode? Learn the Facts!

Do you remember the time, not long ago, when being on a flight gave you a chance to forget things and simply read a book or watch a movie?

Sadly, people often feel like they have lost their right arm if they cannot see what others are doing on Facebook or message their “bestie” on WhatsApp for at least 10 minutes, so Wi-Fi is becoming increasingly common on planes.

Accessing the internet while flying would have been impossible a few years ago, so you could not use WhatsApp on a plane or any other application, but it is becoming more common now.

Although you may be lucky and have free internet access on board, you generally have to pay to access the aircraft’s wifi connections, and what you can use it for is pretty limited.

Being able to stream videos and other high-data usage activities is unlikely to be available. I am sure that, given time, that ability will come.

Can you make a WhatsApp voice or video call on a plane?

With the limited speed and data restrictions available on most aircraft, you are unlikely to be able to use WhatsApp on a plane to make a voice call and almost certainly not a video call, as these require much greater bandwidth.

The same applies to any other messaging app, such as Facebook Messenger.

Generally, a plane’s Wi-Fi is only fast enough to allow you to receive and send text messages, send and receive emails, and perhaps access Facebook and other low-data usage functions.

Given time, I do not doubt that the speeds will increase to the point where almost all functions you use will be available, just as they are in your home or office.

However, on airlines where fast internet is available, most airlines have banned or disabled voice and video calls as they would be annoying to other passengers. And rightly so.

Can you use WhatsApp on airplane mode?

Many think all communication with the outside world is switched off once you hit the airplane mode button. Although that is true when you first switch to airplane mode, that doesn’t mean that you cannot switch some of the communication settings back on and that it will still be in airplane mode.

You have to switch on airplane mode before takeoff to turn off the phone’s cellphone capabilities, which, they say, can interfere with the aircraft’s systems.

Airplane mode turns off all communications when in this mode primarily because, until recently, wi-fi wasn’t available on aircraft, so there was no reason for it to be on.

This isn’t the case with Bluetooth, which you have been able to use with compatible headphones/earbuds etc, for some time. However, Bluetooth also gets switched off when entering airplane mode, so it needs to be switched back on.

Read my other post to find out more about using devices with Bluetooth headphones on a plane.

How to switch wifi on in airplane mode

How to do this may vary from phone to phone, but the principle will be the same on all phones. The following are examples on a Huawei Android phone and an iPhone.

Step 1

This is the normal quick settings menu, which I access by swiping down from the top of my home screen (twice to open it fully) on my Android cellphone. As you can see, Wi-Fi (the first icon) is on, and airplane mode is switched off.

Step 2

Turn on airplane mode by selecting it, and you can see that the cellphone functions have been switched off and Wi-Fi has been.

Step 3

By clicking on the Wi-Fi icon, it is now switched back on, but the phone remains in Airplane Mode. The phone can now be used to access the wifi if available and your Whatsapp messages if desired.

How to connect to wifi on a plane

Each airline will have a slightly different way of using their wifi connection to their onboard Wi-Fi. The following are British Airways’ instructions on how to connect and pay for their Wi-Fi (called .air) as an example:

• If traveling on a Wi-Fi-enabled aircraft, your crew will advise you once on board.
• Once cruising above 10,000ft, enable ‘flight mode’ on your device. Please decide which device you would like to use for the duration, as you cannot switch the connection between devices.
• Go to Wi-Fi settings on your device and join the ‘BAWi-Fi’ network.
• Open your web browser and the .air homepage will open automatically. If not, please type shop.ba.com into your web browser to register or log in.
• Select and purchase the Wi-Fi package that’s right for you. (You can choose different periods and speed packages)

If the airline you are flying with has Wi-Fi, you will find instructions on connecting on their website, on a card in front of your seat or in their inflight magazine. If not, you can ask a member of the cabin crew.

Airlines and the use of WhatsApp

1. Hawaiian Airlines‘ partnership with Starlink promises to provide high-speed, low-latency in-flight Wi-Fi, making it easier and smoother for passengers to use WhatsApp and other messaging apps during their flights, with fewer connection drops and faster message delivery times.
2. Emirates: Emirates offers in-flight Wi-Fi on most of its flights. Passengers can use WhatsApp and other messaging apps while connected to the Wi-Fi network. The airline provides 20MB of free data for the first two hours, after which passengers can choose from various paid plans.
3. Delta Air Lines: Delta offers in-flight Wi-Fi on most of its flights, allowing passengers to use WhatsApp and other messaging apps. Prices for Wi-Fi access vary depending on the length of the flight and the type of device being used. Delta also offers free messaging through its mobile app, which includes WhatsApp, on flights that are equipped with Wi-Fi.
4. Lufthansa: Lufthansa provides in-flight Wi-Fi on most long-haul and short- and medium-haul flights. Passengers can use WhatsApp and other messaging apps while connected to the Wi-Fi network. The airline offers various Wi-Fi packages, including a messaging-only option that allows the use of WhatsApp and other messaging apps at a lower cost.
5. British Airways: British Airways offers in-flight Wi-Fi on most of its flights, allowing passengers to use WhatsApp and other messaging apps. The airline provides various Wi-Fi packages, including a messaging-only option that enables the use of WhatsApp and other messaging apps at a lower cost than full internet access.
6. Qantas: Qantas offers in-flight Wi-Fi on most domestic flights within Australia. Passengers can use WhatsApp and other messaging apps while connected to the Wi-Fi network. The airline provides free Wi-Fi for all passengers, with no data caps or time limits.

If you are flying with another airline these airline inflight wifi articles may help.

Does it cost to use WhatsApp on a plane?

WhatsApp is a free app and all the services it provides are free. However, you may need to pay to access the aircraft’s in-flight Wi-Fi network, which can be expensive.

Some airlines are starting to offer limited free use of the aircraft’s Wi-Fi system, particularly for first-class and business-class passengers.

Often, there are strict data limits, so you will be limited on what you can use it to do. That is why WhatsApp text messages are one of the things you can use, as text messages use very little data.

Can you use WhatsApp on an international flight?

Whether you are flying internationally or domestically, it makes no difference to your ability to access WhatsApp on a plane or any other application, assuming that Wi-Fi is available on your flight.

WhatsApp allows you to contact others anywhere else in the world for free.

Can you access WhatsApp without WiFi or data on a plane?

WhatsApp can only be accessed on a plane by connecting to the Wi-Fi system.

You cannot access your cellular connection while flying, so switch your phone to airplane mode before takeoff. This mode switches off access to your internet connection to your mobile network.

If the cellular network function is off, so is the data function; therefore, messaging apps won’t work using that method.

Why can’t you make cellphone calls on a plane?

There are two reasons why you are not allowed to make cell phone calls on a plane, text on a plane, or even have your phone’s cell phone capabilities switched on in flight.

1. It is believed that using a cell phone in flight may interfere with the aircraft’s systems and cause them to malfunction. Obviously, in theory, at least, this could have catastrophic consequences for flight safety.
2. The cellphone system uses transmitters/receivers regularly, producing a “cell” – hence the name.

If you are stationary, then you are connected to the nearest cell.

If you travel in a car and move from one cell to another, the phone automatically transfers to the next cell. Cells are reasonably large, which means that, as you are unlikely to travel faster than 60–70 miles per hour, you will only move to a different cell, perhaps every few minutes or so.

If you fly at 600mph or more, your phone will attempt to change cells every few seconds. This could confuse your phone and disrupt the cell phone system.

The FAA states the following:

Electronics on Board

• The FCC and FAA ban cell phones for airborne use because their signals could interfere with critical aircraft instruments. Devices must be used in airplane mode or with the cellular data connection disabled. You may use the Wi-Fi connection on your device if the plane has an installed Wi-Fi system and the airline allows it.
• Visit FAA’s Portable Electronic Devices page for more information about using consumer electronics on U.S. flights.

Should voice calls be allowed on a plane?

I am quite happy you can’t use your cell phone on a plane to make calls; frankly, I hope that never changes.

Can you imagine being on a 12-hour flight and sitting near someone who constantly makes and receives calls on their phone?

I have experienced this annoying activity on trains many times, and let me tell you, there have been times when I have wanted to snatch the person’s phone and throw it out of the window or put it somewhere! At least I couldn’t throw it out of the window on a plane.

To make matters worse, when people make phone calls on a train, they always seem to talk more loudly than normal, which makes it even more annoying. I am sure the same would be true if they also made phone calls on a plane.

Whatsapp Airplane Mode FAQs

Other related articles

If you found this article useful, then you may also find the following of interest:

Can you listen to an audiobook on a plane?

Can you take a laptop on a plane?

Can you listen to music on a plane?

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