How to watch tonight's game on airplane?

Submitted by rmic2 on

I will be on an airplane during the game tonight. The airplane will have WIFI. What are my best options to watch the game on my laptop?

MGoBroomz

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:27 AM ^

Best option is to download Cbs sports app on your phone and stream it. They say you can't stream, but had zero issues in delta using gogo during the BTT. Crystal clear and no buffering issue.

DCGrad

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:34 AM ^

Your plane might have cable on it. But I'd have the cbs app ready to go just in case. I just took a United flight that had directv and was able to watch the tournament games for free.

LSAClassOf2000

March 23rd, 2017 at 10:33 AM ^

I can say from experience that you would be impressed with some of the reel sizes available on telecom equipment, having had many opportunities to walk the yards which house the construction crews for some of this work. My concern would be, well, wind and birds and debris. Other aircraft too. 

Yeah, scratch this idea. 

rc15

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:39 AM ^

I was so nervous the game was going to be scheduled during my flight on Friday. I can't imagine not knowing what was going on and just landing and seeing the score...

 

(I'm poor so I fly Spirit, meaning no wifi)

In reply to by Dawggoblue

ESNY

March 23rd, 2017 at 2:20 PM ^

Fucking Mr. Owl.  First he lies and says it takes three licks to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop, and now this!

In reply to by Dawggoblue

Yo_Blue

March 23rd, 2017 at 10:27 AM ^

My son flys Spirit a lot.  More accurately, he TRIES to fly Spirit a lot and over half his flights are cancelled.  They always offer to put him on their next available flight in 3-4 days.

Always ask them to go straigt to option 4 - put you on the next available flight regardless of carrier.  They will try to:

1) next available Spirit flight

2) voucher for Spirit

3) refund for current flight

4) find another carrier

Also, be sure they don't cancel your return if this is an outbound leg.  Their computer will automatically cancel your return if you don't make the first leg, even if the flight is cancelled.  And, be prepared for hours on the phone.

Mr. Owl

March 23rd, 2017 at 11:23 AM ^

This is all good info here.

Last time I flew Spirit I found the trick is to fly the first flight of the day.  Had evening flight canceled before leaving for the airport.  Next evening it wasn't canceled until I was in line.  6:30a flight actually worked.

True Blue Grit

March 23rd, 2017 at 11:41 AM ^

about Spirit.  I avoid them like the plague.  Most of the time, my wife and I fly Delta.  They're certainly not perfect either, but they spend much more effort to stay on time.   We've also never had any issues with any of their flight crews, unlike some of the horror stories you hear from other airlines.

mgobleu

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:39 AM ^

Cbs march madness actually is a halfway decent app. My dish was out during the ok st. game and i streamed it to my Chromecast from my phone with zero complaints.

double blue

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:40 AM ^

if you are flying Southwest they have free TV to any Device via global eagle entertainment

Perkis-Size Me

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:42 AM ^

I think your only shot will be if you're on a flight that carries cable. If you're flying Southwest, I almost guarantee you'll be able to see the game. I fly with them pretty frequently, and they always carry CBS, which I believe is what Michigan will be broadcasting on tonight. 

Your only other chance is if you're on a long haul flight that might have it as well. I think you're going to be SOL on live streaming though. Usually if you try to watch Netflix, Prime, or your own TV app, I believe it doesn't work. 

TheDirtyD

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:44 AM ^

But, you can go buy a small AM radio that you can plug headphones into and look up Westwood one radio stations in the states you will be flying over and then you can listen to it.

GoBlueInIowa

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:58 AM ^

From my experience, streaming off airplane wifi is almost impossible.

The CBS app is a good one and works well, but your issue is going to be that most airlines' wifi is not meant for streaming and most specifically state that.

When I am in this situation I have a plan on how to watch on delay when I arrive and then avoid any news until I have had the chance to watch. I will delete apps from my phone, etc.

UM Fan from Sydney

March 23rd, 2017 at 10:11 AM ^

This is correct. Airplane WiFi usually sucks and it doesn't help that so many others on the plane are using it, which slows the speed. Some airlines ask you to pay a fee to access their WiFi, which is absolutely ridiculous.

oriental andrew

March 23rd, 2017 at 10:00 AM ^

Since you have wifi, try the app or laptop, although you may need to stream in low-fi. Note that some systems are set up to block streaming video. You may be stuck listening to an audio feed on TuneIn Radio or something. 

Some airlines have DirecTV in flight (some United aircraft, JetBlue, Virgin America). Best bet if that's an option.