Both Jio and Airtel have recently introduced their new in-flight roaming plans that allow you to stay connected at high altitudes in a plane. This is made possible by collaborating with a company called AeroMobile, which provides calling, internet, and SMS services for in-flight customers.
In this article, we’ll dive into how this works, how you can use it yourself, how much this will cost you, and also answer some of your most asked questions in the end. So, without any further ado, let’s get started.
Here’s how it works
Make sure you have an in-flight roaming plan. Without this, you won’t be able to access mobile services during the flight. Now, when the plane takes off, you will switch your phone to Airplane Mode.
But once the plane reaches a certain altitude, you can turn off Airplane Mode. Following this, your smartphone will send a signal to the plane’s communication antenna. The plane’s antenna receives this signal and transmits it to a satellite.
The satellite, then, forwards the signal to a ground network. Here, your SIM card number is checked to confirm if you have a roaming agreement with AeroMobile’s network plan or not. Don’t worry, Airtel/Jio will do this for you once you purchase their plan. Now, if you have a valid plan, the ground network will send a confirmation back to the satellite.
The satellite will then send the confirmation signal back to the plane antenna, which then transmits it to your smartphone. Finally, you are allowed to use mobile data, send SMSs, and make calls on your device while in-flight. You can’t accept incoming calls, though.
How to Use In-Flight Roaming
1. Select an in-flight roaming pack for your SIM card. Both Jio and Airtel offer in-flight roaming options.
2. Turn off Airplane Mode.
3. Make sure Data Roaming is enabled in your phone settings.
4. Now, go to your network settings and select AeroMobile as the carrier. You must turn off the Automatic toggle first.
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Airtel In-Flight Plans
Airtel’s in-flight plans starts at ₹195 where you get 250 MB, including 100 minutes of calls and 100 SMS for 24 hours. There are three prepaid and three postpaid options, which you can see listed below.
Airtel Prepaid and Postpaid In-flight Roaming Plans
| Plan | Validity | Data | Calls | SMS |
| ₹195 | 1 day | 250 MB | 100 mins | 100 |
| ₹295 | 1 day | 500 MB | 100 mins | 100 |
| ₹595 | 1 day | 1 GB | 100 mins | 100 |
Additionally, the in-flight benefits are also available on 30-day+ international roaming plans. Supported airlines include Emirates, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, a few more. If you go over your data limit, Airtel will charge you at standard international roaming rates.
Jio In-Flight Plans
Jio offers similar in-flight plans to Airtel, starting at ₹195 where you get 250 MB with the same calling and SMS perks i.e., 100 minutes of calling and 100 outgoing SMS. Here, too, you have three prepaid and three postpaid plans to choose from, which you can see listed below.
Jio Prepaid and Postpaid In-flight Roaming Plans
| Plan | Validity | Data | Calls | SMS |
| ₹195 | 1 day | 250 MB | 100 mins | 100 |
| ₹295 | 1 day | 500 MB | 100 mins | 100 |
| ₹595 | 1 day | 1 GB | 100 mins | 100 |
To use it, just switch off Airplane Mode and connect to the AeroMobile network above 20,000 feet. Unlike Airtel, Jio’s data stops working once you hit the limit—no extra data at slower speeds. This is not a good thing, just to make it clear.
Regular mobile data speeds vs. in-flight roaming data speeds
Regular mobile data speeds can reach up to 1 Gbps. However, in-flight roaming speeds are significantly slower, typically limited to around 3.6 Mbps, which is equivalent to 3G speeds.
For reference, Airtel’s 4G mobile data speeds can go up to 135 Mbps, which is much higher than the speeds you get with the in-flight roaming. Still, in-flight data is better than no data.
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FAQs
How do I activate in-flight roaming?
For Airtel, download the Airtel Thanks app, select an in-flight roaming pack, and ensure data roaming is enabled. For Jio, recharge with an in-flight pack before the flight and connect to the AeroMobile network once airborne.
Are there any restrictions on in-flight roaming?
Incoming calls are not allowed by both Jio and Airtel, but outgoing calls and outgoing SMS are allowed based on your selected plan limits. Incoming SMS is free, at least for you.
How do I check my data usage while on a flight?
You can check your data usage using the Airtel Thanks app or the Jio app on your phone itself.
What if my phone doesn’t connect to the AeroMobile network?
If your phone doesn’t connect to the AeroMobile network automatically, then you can go to your phone’s settings and manually select the AeroMobile network. But before that, you need to make sure that data roaming is enabled.
Can I use in-flight roaming on domestic flights from Air India and IndiGo?
No, you cannot use in-flight roaming on domestic flights from Air India and IndiGo. Jio and Airtel provide in-flight roaming in partnership with AeroMobile which operates on an international level and is available only on certain airlines.
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