[Zombieball]

Perhaps I am missing something as I have not been following the issue very closely.

Didn't the FAA recently announce that use of mobile devices during flight, or gate-to-gate, is now allowed?

What is the incentive to pay $2 to send iMessages vs. simply turning on your data connection & sending iMessage as you would regularly?

Is the issue that Southwest Airlines has not opted into the new FAA regulations? Is cellular coverage poor during most flights (I admittedly haven't tried using my cellphone during flights)?

[jakewalker]

Use of devices in airplane mode is okay. No data/4G connections allowed during flight (though that's hard to enforce, it is also damn hard to get a worthwhile signal and will quickly drain your battery as your phone searches for service).

[gojomo]

Recent announcement allowed electronic devices but not yet phone functions that communicate with cellular base towers.

On recent flights with both United and Southwest, crews have emphasized devices must be in 'airplane mode' even if wifi is enabled later (for the inflight wifi service).

Cellular access is still controversial:

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/01/disruptions-calling...

[ozi]

You can't get a cellphone signal 35,000 feet in the air.

[Zombieball]

Haha, thanks for the explanation.

My understanding of cell phone tower ranges is definitely limited, but I should've realized this. Now I feel stupid!

[smackfu]

It's not poor, it just doesn't work. The recent talk about allowing in-flight cell phone use was in relation to the airlines installing an in-plane microcell of some sort for your phone to connect though.

[adrr]

Some flights on foreign airlines allow cell phone(assume through microcells). Just not on US domestic flights.

[baddox]

Except for the calls that made it through from United 93, or was it at lower altitude at the time?

[encoderer]

Certainly it was below the 30k' cruising altitude. And over a heavily populated area. And voice connections are easier to get than data in my experience doing, uhh, "research" of this sort.

[the_watcher]

You would have to connect to WiFi, which is $8 (honestly worth it if you would use internet at all on flights over 2 hours).

[gregorymichael]

cell coverage is poor.