A Vietjet airplane A320 is seen through the window of another at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi October 20, 2013. Vietnam's fledgling airline industry is poised for a boom as local competition heats up with fleet expansions, new routes and planned share offers that are set to make it one of the world's three fastest growing markets. Picture taken October 20, 2013. REUTERS/Kham

The Gogo in-flight Internet provider has launched its in-flight text and call service program for airplane passengers. Now, you don't have to miss an important text or call from a loved one, especially during times of emergencies. In the past, using mobile phones and similar devices during flights are forbidden because these might disrupt signals used by the airplane for safety and air traffic security. But, thanks to Gogo's service, mobile phones can now be used while in the air.

CREDIT: YouTube/Aircell Marketing

Gogo's service is called the Text and Talk program and it allows users to text or call during flights using an app that they can download from Google Play or the App Store.

"Gogo Text & Talk is just one more way Gogo is keeping airline passengers connected to their lives on the ground," said Ash ElDifrawi, Gogo's chief marketing officer, in a statement according to a PC Mag report.

Aside from downloading and uploading the app on your smartphone, you also need to register your mobile number and make sure that you have access to your service provider. In short, Gogo and your regular service provider must be aware that you are indeed using both services that's why you need to inform both them in order to use Gogo's Text and Talk program.

According to engadget, the Gogo service is much better for texting than it is for calling.

"Texting from Gogo's app works well, which is good news, since it's the only thing passengers in the U.S. will be able to do with it," wrote Dana Wollman in an engadget report.

"The only caveat is that the app currently supports simple text messages only. If you want to attach a picture, you can still do it on iMessage, but with Gogo, at least, you're out of luck," she added in the engadget report.

"Voice calling, on the other hand, still has a ways to go before people will really want to make calls in-flight. After making numerous calls on the Moto X and a borrowed Galaxy Note 3, I consistently had trouble hearing my callers (though they had no problem hearing me)," Wollman noted in the engadget report.

The Gogo Text and Talk Service is Available in 3 packages:

  • All-Day Pass - $14 (24 hours continuous access on the same airline. Expiration: 1 year from date of purchase)
  • Gogo Unlimited - $49.95 (unlimited monthly Internet on ALL Gogo-equipped flights)
  • The Traveler Pass - $39.95 (unlimited Internet monthly on your favorite airline)

However, the Gogo Text and Talk app is only available for business users right now (click here to download the app) It has been available since Oct. 1, 2013 at the App Store. Unfortunately, the app's version for consumers does not yet appear on Google Play and the App store.

The airlines that reportedly use the Gogo in-flight service include Virgin America, American Airlines, Delta, U.S. Airways, AirTran, Frontier, United and Alaska Airlines.

Gogo also partnered with Glympse, a location-sharing app to allow Wi-Fi users to share their location in the air. Wi-Fi users can point their browsers to inflight.glympse.com or use the Glympse app while in-flight. Then, they just need to enter the phone number of their recipient, and share their location.

The Gogo in-flight Internet provider's launch of the in-flight Text and Call program for airplane passengers is a brilliant move to ensure constant communication in these times. Hopefully, it will be available not just for business people but for regular consumers as well.