Personal Hotspot while connected to WiFi on a plane

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Level 1

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Personal Hotspot while connected to WiFi on a plane

Hi all,

The crooks at Air Canada want me to pay for each device I want to connect to their WiFi while I'm flying, which is of course absolute bull. I have no problem paying for ONE device, but I need to use both my iPhone (XS) and my laptop (not Apple, sorry) on the plane -- there's only so much you can do on a phone. I understand that the WiFi radio in the iPhone can only receive OR send, not both, so that's why the Hotspot doesn't work when Airplane Mode is enabled (as required while flying). But why can't I connect my phone to my laptop (via USB cable; iTunes is installed) and get internet that way? Did I miss a setting somewhere?

Thanks in advance,

D.

Posted on Aug 10, 2022 10:49 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

IdrisSeabright

Level 10

185,435 points

Aug 10, 2022 11:00 AM in response to danytancou

In order to use the iPhone as a hotspot, it must be connected to the internet through cellular data. You cannot use the personal hotspot feature to share an external WiFi network.

A Personal Hotspot lets you share the cellular data connection of your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) when you don't have access to a Wi-Fi network.

How to set up a Personal Hotspot on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Two devices connected to the plane's rather limited WiFi mean twice as much traffic. Seems reasonable to me to charge for each one.

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Answer 2

danytancou Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 10, 2022 11:59 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

I think you should consider changing how that works. Your argument about limited WiFi onboard makes no sense, sorry: like drinks and food, they must have "enough" to ensure that every passenger who wishes to pay for the service will get what they pay for. If this is not possible, simply don't offer it.

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Answer 3

Aug 11, 2022 6:01 AM in response to danytancou

danytancou wrote:

I think you should consider changing how that works.

I can consider it all I want. But, as I don't work for Apple, it seems like a waste of my time.

Your argument about limited WiFi onboard makes no sense, sorry: like drinks and food, they must have "enough" to ensure that every passenger who wishes to pay for the service will get what they pay for. If this is not possible, simply don't offer it.

So, if the airline runs out of the vegetarian entree, no one should eat? Yes, that makes sense.

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Personal Hotspot while connected to WiFi on a plane

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