My iPad keeps asking me to set up a new cellular data plan

Not sure I understand your question. Just because you have an iPad with cellular capabilities, doesn't mean you have to use it. She can simply use it on WIFI only. That would be using it as a normal iPad. Send more info is this doesn't solve your question.

Just got off phone with Apple.. they asked me to try TWO things!

1. turn on airplane mode then turn ON wifi and bluetooth. This did work, but it is just a workaround.

2. TELL SIRI : TURN OFF CELLULAR DATA... so far this has seemed to work! Good luck!

My sister bought a new ipad air and she said she can only run it on wifi because it wants them to set up a data plan.. they have go phones and dont want a data plan and this ipad is worthless to them..can anyone tell me what to say to her to help so she can use it like a normal ipad?

she says she cant use internet like google and stuff

but she will never be able to use it when away from a wifi router? is that correct?

There are 2 different settings on your WiFi + Cellular iPad model, one for wireless (or WiFi) and the other for Cellular data. If you don't have a cellular plan for the iPad, there's no reason to leave cellular radio ON all the time because it really does nothing without a data plan (and eats up battery too). Go to Settings - Cellular Data. Switch it OFF.

thank you all very much... I will call her later and talk her through the things she needs to reset to be able to use it..

In order to be able to "get on" the internet you must use EITHER WIFI or CELLULAR DATA. If she doesn't want to buy a plan for the iPad, she can just use WIFI, but she must connect to a wifi or be in a wifi zone. The iPad by itself doesn't have internet access without one of these two things.

Just an update.. the solution asking Siri to "turn off cellular data" worked for us. However, if one is not connected to a wifi and you ask for service by opening a web browswer or other app that needs internet it still will ASK you to set up Cell plan.. BUT it won't pop up every 5- 10 mintues like it did before. In a 24 hour period it only popped up ONCE.... and that is a big improvement.