In the not-so-distant past, boarding a plane came with stern warnings about the use of electronic devices. Rumors swirled that leaving your laptop or smartphone powered on could spell disaster, from grounded flights to misdirected navigation. Thankfully, we’ve grown wiser and understand that our gadgets aren’t quite that powerful. Today, you can stay productive, attend meetings, and collaborate on Microsoft Teams while soaring through the skies.
But the burning question remains – can you use Microsoft Teams on a plane?
The answer is YES!
You can indeed use Microsoft Teams on an airplane, although the quality of your connection will depend on things such as your airline, flight route, and in-flight Wi-Fi offerings. If you’re curious about the reliability of Microsoft Teams for in-flight video conferencing, read on to uncover the details.
Joining a Microsoft Teams Meeting Mid-Flight: Your Comprehensive Guide
Why might you want or need to use Microsoft Teams on an airplane?
In our super-connected world there are instances where you may find yourself needing to log onto Microsoft Teams while cruising above the clouds.
Imagine having a crucial Microsoft Teams meeting scheduled right when you’re on a flight. In that case you’d want to jump on a video conference while airborne.
Or maybe you’re traveling for business, and an unexpected emergency Microsoft Teams call arises. It happens!
Whatever the scenario, if you find yourself in a situation where you must use Microsoft Teams from 30,000 feet it can be done.
Which airlines have Wi-Fi?
More and more airlines have Wi-Fi as a standard offering as part of your ticket price.
For instance, American Airlines, Delta, and United all offer some form of in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity.
Certain airlines may even offer complimentary Wi-Fi access with Business and First Class tickets.
However, remember that once you start using Microsoft Teams (or any other video conferencing app), you’ll quickly consume your allotted free data!
In-flight Wi-Fi tends to be more common on long-haul flights, as it’s not typically necessary for shorter journeys.
Here’s a few airlines that provide in-flight Wi-Fi services, including a few that offer it for free.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, so it’s advisable to verify with your airline before your trip.
JetBlue: A pioneer in providing free Wi-Fi, JetBlue offers its Fly-Fi service on almost all flights across the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, and select European destinations. This comprehensive coverage makes JetBlue an ideal choice for travelers needing consistent online access.
Delta Air Lines: In a major step towards enhanced connectivity, Delta begun offering free Wi-Fi on most flights starting early 2023. This service is expected to encompass all major domestic, international, and regional flights by the end of 2024. To access this benefit, passengers must be members of the SkyMiles program, which can be joined for free.
Singapore Airlines: Recently, Singapore Airlines extended free Wi-Fi to passengers in all cabins, having previously offered this service to premium cabin flyers. To connect, passengers should be a part of the KrisFlyer loyalty program, available for free enrollment.
Qatar Airways: Qatar Airways offers a taste of its renowned luxury with one hour of complimentary Wi-Fi for Privilege Club members. After the first hour, passengers can opt for a paid package for continued internet use.
Norwegian Airlines: Catering to budget-conscious travelers, Norwegian Airlines provides free Wi-Fi on many of its short-haul flights within Europe and on several long-haul trans-Atlantic flights, albeit with a basic plan. Faster service or streaming capability is available for an additional fee.
Emirates: Emirates grants its Blue, Silver, and Gold members free Wi-Fi for social media messaging, and Platinum members enjoy broader internet access without charge. This service reflects Emirates’ commitment to luxury and convenience.
Air New Zealand: Offering a rare unrestricted complimentary Wi-Fi service,
Air New Zealand ensures all its passengers stay connected. However, the limited bandwidth might affect the speed of the connection.
Qantas: For domestic flights within Australia, Qantas provides free Wi-Fi, allowing passengers to enjoy various online services, including social media and emails.
Nok Air: Emphasizing customer satisfaction, Nok Air offers completely free Wi-Fi on their Boeing 737, enabling passengers to enjoy a wide range of online services.
Alaska Airlines: Alaska Airlines offers limited free Wi-Fi, enabling passengers to use social media messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and iMessage. Access to additional services requires a Wi-Fi package purchase at a flat rate of $8.
Airline not there? Here is a more comprehensive list of airlines that (at the time of writing) offer Wifi onboard:
- Aer Lingus
- Aeroflot
- Aeromexico
- Air Asia
- Air Austral
- Air Canada
- Air China
- Air Europa
- Air France
- Air New Zealand
- Air Tanzania
- Alaska Airlines
- Alitalia
- All Nippon Airways (ANA)
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Cebu Pacific Air
- China Eastern Airlines
- Copa Airlines
- Czech Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- Egypt Air
- Emirates
- Etihad
- Eurowings
- EVA Air
- Finnair
- Garuda Indonesia
- Gol Linhas Aereas
- Inteligentes
- Gulf Air
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Hong Kong Airlines
- Iberia
- Iceland Air
- Japan Airlines
- JetBlue
- Jetstar Airways
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Korean Air
- LATAM Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Malaysia Airlines
- Malindo Air
- Mango Airlines
- Norwegian
- Oman Air
- Philippine Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Ryanair
- SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)
- Saudi Arabian Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Swiss International Air Lines
- TAP Portugal
- Thai Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- United Airlines
- Vietnam Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
Please note that this list might not be exhaustive, and the availability of Wi-Fi services can change. Always check with the airline for the most up-to-date information before traveling.
How much does in-flight Wi-Fi cost?
The price of using Wi-Fi on an airplane varies depending on the airline.
Certain airlines, such as United, offer different pricing tiers based on your data consumption.
For United’s U.S. domestic and short-haul international flights (like those to Mexico and Canada), Wi-Fi costs $8 or 1,600 miles for select passengers and $10 for others. Additionally, there’s a Wi-Fi Day Pass for MileagePlus account holders and a subscription service for frequent flyers, offering Wi-Fi starting at $49 or 7,500 miles per month.
Meanwhile, American Airlines’ pricing starts at approximately $10 per flight. Frequent flyers can opt for the American Airlines Wi-Fi Subscription Plan, priced at $49.95 for a monthly plan or $59.95 for a 2-device monthly plan.
The downsides of using Microsoft Teams on a plane
It’s important to note that while the answer to ‘Can you use Microsoft Teams on a plane?’ is a resounding YES, it’s not always the ideal choice.
First and foremost, the call quality may not match that of ground-based Wi-Fi. Airplane Wi-Fi signals are generally weaker than those on the ground.
Secondly, consider using a VPN when utilizing Microsoft Teams in-flight to enhance call quality through data encryption and protect yourself from URL phishing.
Thirdly, contemplate using alternative calling apps like Skype or WhatsApp instead of Microsoft Teams while on an airplane. These apps consume less data and tend to perform better on airplane Wi-Fi.
Other factors to bear in mind include:
You’re on a plane! Have realistic expectations.
Though not typically noisy environments, loud conversations (especially with headphones on) can carry quite a distance.
Exercise caution when discussing sensitive information.
Additionally, be mindful of time zones. On a nighttime flight, fellow passengers may be seeking rest, so it’s wise to use headphones or lower your volume.
Or… you could opt not to attend the meeting…
Don’t worry! We have a solution!
But, in case that’s not viable… and you absolutely must join a call…
How to access Microsoft Teams while on a plane
If you need to participate in a Microsoft Teams call while on an airplane, there are essential steps to follow.
- First and foremost, confirm whether your airline offers in-flight Wi-Fi services.
As mentioned earlier, not all airlines provide this service. - Once you’ve established the availability of in-flight Wi-Fi, the next step is to sign up for the service. Typically, you can accomplish this by visiting the airline’s website prior to your flight and entering your credit card information.
Upon signing up, you’ll receive a username and password for logging into the in-flight Wi-Fi network. - Once logged in, you should be able to connect to Microsoft Teams without significant issues.
- Simply open the app and join your meeting as usual!
- Should the in-flight Wi-Fi prove sluggish and unreliable, consider requesting a seat change (if available) on the plane. Signal strength can vary depending on your seating location.
- Keep in mind that you’re not the only one vying for in-flight Wi-Fi bandwidth, so competition for resources is a possibility!
What to do if you miss a Microsoft Teams meeting during your travels?
If you have a Microsoft Teams meeting scheduled, but your prospects for stable Wi-Fi appear bleak, or if you’re traveling for leisure, you don’t HAVE to be present at that meeting.
Using a tool like tl;dv, you can have your colleagues record the meeting from Microsoft Teams, timestamp key moments, and extract crucial information. It even offers an AI-powered summary to give you the highlights in email format. This way, you can swiftly catch up when you’re next able to check your email.
Have your colleagues record the call, and you can either fast-forward to the most pertinent sections or review the automated transcript generated by tl;dv, highlighting speakers’ names and timestamps.
A couple of clicks, and you’re good to go!
Enjoy your Microsoft Teams experience while flying
Nevertheless, it’s essential to emphasize the significance of setting boundaries and achieving a healthy work-life balance in our rapidly evolving work environment.
Traveling already brings its fair share of stress – from catching a flight to remembering your passport and ensuring timely arrival at the airport – without the added worry of attending a meeting mid-flight to a far-off destination.
While online meeting tools offer flexibility and the opportunity to explore the world, remember that you don’t have to be tethered to work 24/7.
Unless you’re the meeting organizer (in which case, consider rescheduling), we highly recommend using tools such as tl;dv to make meetings work FOR you, not against you.
That flight you’re taking could be filled with turbulence, a crying baby, or the person next to you accidentally spilling a drink on your laptop.
So, instead of stressing over whether you can hop onto that Microsoft Teams call, why not kick back, relax, and enjoy your unplugged time? Binge-watch your favorite shows on the in-flight entertainment system, and rest assured that tl;dv has your back!
