Issues with In-flight Free WiFi

crackjackx wrote:

Recently I found out that to use the free Gogo Inflight I have verify with a text message. However, for the last 4/5 times I was unable to get a text message. My phone was in Airplane Mode and WiFi calling is enabled (and yes Wifi calling works with my device).  When I get on the ground I find all those verification text messages coming in, but now it's too late. The only recourse is to chat with Gogo Inflight CS, and if you're lucky get a promo code from them.

Anyone else having this issue?

Yes, my wife's phone always has issues connecting even though all settings are correct as described above.  What normally works is rebooting her iPhone, and also "forget this network", and then rejoining the Alaska Air WiFi.  Hope that helps!  

This happens to me every time I fly. I have a galaxy s21 and don't receive the access code texts until my flight is over. 

I tried turning wifi on and off and nothing works. Anyone come across a solution yet?

Wow, this started 7 months ago & I get the same catch 22.  Enter texted number for inflight wifi, that can only be received on the ground!

^^^ the last person i remembered bringing it up...just couldnt remember where i came across it lol.

My wife and I recently had 5 flights on Delta, all with GoGo service. Her Samsung S20 had no problem receiving the verification texts. My OnePlus 8T 5G would not receive the texts unless I first turned Airplane Mode off and reinitiated the whole process. Once the code was received and access verified, I could turn Airplane Mode* back on and everything was fine.

*For the benefits of pedants, that’s Airplane Mode with WiFi turned on.

firstunicorn wrote:

Have had this problem without fail for all flights in the last year.  Every time, I contact gogo CS, and go through all the steps to try to get it working without success.  Then they give me a promo code for free access.  I think modern Android phones like mine (Pixel 4a 5G) will not allow wifi calling until it validates connectivity on wifi.  This is catch 22 if you can't get connectivity until you get a SMS.  :(

 

this is exactly the issue..most phones wont allow it since they must receive the code via text just to confirm...no wifi until then means with airplane mode turned on you wont receive anything. last person i remember bringing this up they had to turn airplane mode off..wait until they got the signal..then once it was received they turned airplane mode back on.

Have had this problem without fail for all flights in the last year.  Every time, I contact gogo CS, and go through all the steps to try to get it working without success.  Then they give me a promo code for free access.  I think modern Android phones like mine (Pixel 4a 5G) will not allow wifi calling until it validates connectivity on wifi.  This is catch 22 if you can't get connectivity until you get a SMS.  :(

I talked with gogo support on my flight today and they recommended turning off wifi on my phone for 30 seconds and then turning it back on. After I connected to the delta network again, the text with the pin came through. I'm connected on the wifi on the plane now

Bottom line is that the SMS verification is not a good solution. I'm never able to receive the text.

When I encountered this issue, where I could not receive the text message from TMobile after connecting to wifi.delta.com and following instructions, was solved by turning WiFi calling off and back on.  Specifically I turned WiFi Calling Off, rebooted my phone (Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra for those that like specificity), and afterreboot turned WiFi Calling back on.  At that time I reconnected to the wifi network, did the registration steps, and the text message was received.