I'm a firm believer in finding that perfect balance between convenience and affordability. For my recent trip, I found myself needing some form of connectivity to do some quick research. But when it came time to decide whether to pay for the pricey in-flight Wi-Fi or not, I had an epiphany: What if I used Gemini in Google Messages over RCS?

It sounds like a long shot, but I'd heard that Gemini is capable of working over RCS, which means it could potentially bypass the limitations of in-flight Wi-Fi. I decided to put this theory to the test and see just how far my newfound knowledge could take me.

I started by connecting to Air France's free messaging service, which clearly listed its limitations: no photos or videos allowed, no emails, no internet browsing or social media, no streaming, and no calls. But I had already switched to Google Messages and tapped on the floating Gemini button to initiate a conversation with Google's AI.

I asked my first question: "List today's top 10 most interesting Android/Google tech news." The response was instantaneous, and I was thrilled to see that Gemini had access to real-time data. The list of news articles was comprehensive, covering everything from NotebookLM's mobile app to Apple's tariff impact.

I asked a few more questions, including one about the upcoming Wear OS change that hinted at Gemini support. To my surprise, the AI provided detailed answers, even listing both phones that had already received One UI 7 a week earlier and those that were getting it then.

But I was determined to see just how far this hack would take me. I asked questions about photos, sharing a cat picture with Gemini and asking it about the breed. I also shared a screenshot of a Pebblebee Bluetooth tracker in Google Find Device and asked for help with its exact location, including country and city.

Unfortunately, even though images were working on this free plan, Gemini was unable to send me photos directly. The AI only sent links to photos, which load small previews if you're on a good connection – but not on the messaging-only in-flight Wi-Fi. It seems that all AI chatbots have this limitation.

Despite this limitation, my hacky way of staying connected during flights was still an incredibly convenient and streamlined experience. I could keep an eye on the Europa League and Conference semi-final scores from the plane, check the weather in Paris at landing time, and start making weekend plans.

Making sure to note that there were factual errors and some minor hallucinations – an issue with all AI bots, still – this hack won't replace a proper connection for any serious work or research. However, for short-term planning, local queries, and light browsing, the free price is unbeatable.

I plan on sticking with the free messaging-only Wi-Fi plan for my next trips, especially if they're shorter flights. And who knows? Maybe one day Air France will roll out its promised free Wi-Fi for all upgrades this summer, making hacky ways to stay connected a thing of the past.