They also encourage you to provide info on yourself (create an account, provide birthday) to even use the screen on the seat back…

  • prayer@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    6
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 month ago

    Plane wifi, in the Continental US, is typically done via cell networks. The plane just has stronger receivers and transmitters than your cellphone.

    • skuzz@discuss.tchncs.de
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      4
      ·
      1 month ago

      No, it’s mostly ViaSat (like in OP’s picture) now. Gogo never upgraded their infra to handle more traffic and kinda fell out of relevance. Planes with ViaSat will have large oval satellite domes on top that talk up to space.

    • mkwt@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 month ago

      It’s illegal to use your cell phone’s cell modem on a plane, because of an FCC rule, not an FAA rule. The cells in the cell network are designed for traffic on the ground. At cruising altitude, your modem can see way too many cells at once.