Expert: D. Norkus - 11/22/2006

Question
Thanks for the prompt reply.  A follow up: in the case of emergency, could a passenger, or pilot for that matter, send a digital photo over the pilot's phone/radio?  Do the pilots have access to the internet during flight?  
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I'm trying to get a handle on what is possible in terms of inflight communication.  Do cell phones work in flight?  What about while over the ocean?  Can the inflight AirPhones be used to send a digital photo?  Can someone on the ground call an airplane and contact a passenger in case of emergency?  I know this is several qs -- thank you.
-----Answer-----
Do cell phones work in flight?
Usually no as there is no signal from the cell antennas at altitude. Only on very low altitude short flights do might you get any cellular servicxe bars on your phone.

What about while over the ocean?
No.

Can the inflight AirPhones be used to send a digital photo?  
No, they cannot take photos.

Can someone on the ground call an airplane and contact a passenger in case of emergency?  
Via the air phone? No. Over the aircraft radios, yes.

Answer
A follow up: in the case of emergency, could a passenger, or pilot for that matter, send a digital photo over the pilot's phone/radio?  

No. There is no way to send photos over aircraft radios.

Do the pilots have access to the internet during flight?  
No. The inflight services in the cabin are not accessable to the flight deck. For inflight internet info see- http://www.webinflight.com/