Gemini AI Works Mid-Flight Using Free Android Messaging

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Google’s Gemini AI Works Mid-Flight Using Free Android Messaging

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: May 13, 2025

Key Takeaways

Google’s Gemini AI can be used mid-flight on Android through Google Messages, without paid Wi-Fi;
The trick works by using airlines’ free RCS messaging, which sends data over Wi-Fi;
Image generation is possible, but slow speeds limit links and chat formatting features.

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Google’s Gemini AI Works Mid-Flight Using Free Android Messaging

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Google’s Gemini AI can be used during flights without paying for Wi-Fi, using only Android phones and Google Messages, according to a report from Android Authority.

Rita El Khoury, a journalist at Android Authority, discovered this trick while flying with Air France from Paris to Budapest. Instead of buying full internet access, she chose the free option that allows basic messaging.

Many airlines offer this so passengers can use apps like WhatsApp or Google Messages, as long as they support Rich Communication Services (RCS), a system that sends messages using Wi-Fi or mobile data.

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She wanted to look up some quick info while in the air. Therefore, after connecting to the free messaging plan, she opened Google Messages, tapped the Gemini AI icon, and asked for a list of the day’s top tech stories about Google and Android.

This worked because Gemini AI is built into the Google Messages app. As long as RCS is available, Gemini AI can send and receive messages over the same connection.

She noted, "Having free access to Gemini in Google Messages felt like peeking through a window at the entire internet without actually opening a browser".

El Khoury said that even image generation worked, although the slow connection made it a bit clunky. Some formatting features did not show up correctly unless she deleted earlier parts of the chat. Also, any links Gemini shared would not open, since full browsing was unavailable.

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