Portable WiFi routers in flight
 

I've been looking to find an answer for this, but not found anything as yet.

I am going to NY very soon (Virgin Atlantic), and have purchased a portable WiFi router for using in hotels as a hotspot / media streamer. I also have a battery pack that will run it. I was wondering if it was allowed to set up the router so that I can stream stuff to me, my wife and son in flight.

I'm wondering if it's allowed to do this primarily. Not saying I actually will.

Thanks

Devices that broadcast usually must be certified for use on an aircraft. I seriously doubt that it would be permitted.

The simple answer is no. Not sure why you would want to either.

Thanks for the replies. I was only interested in if it was allowed to use these devices. I'm probably going to do what I usually do on a long flight - read and sleep.

GreekIslandLover. You will also find information in the FAQ (at the top of the forum list) anything that relates to use of GPS or Air Band receiver etc. ALSO relate to the device you have in mind. Which means No. Aircraft are loaded down with In Flight Entertainment (IFE) systems these days.

I'm also not sure what benefit they would have regardless of the legislation. You have a thin pipe connecting the aircraft to the outside world and a wifi router would just be sitting in there between your device and the internal wifi node.

In suspect GIL just wants to stream media from his device to his family members, not connect to the internet so he doesn't want/need to connect to the internal wifi node.