> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.planeconnection.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# How to Use the Messaging System
> Compose and manage in-platform messages, communicate with crew about specific trips, message charter clients through the customer portal, and configure notification preferences.
By the end of this guide, you will have composed and managed in-platform messages, communicated with crew about specific trips, messaged charter clients through the customer portal, and configured notification preferences.
The Operations module must be enabled for your workspace. You also need the appropriate operations
permissions. Contact your workspace administrator if you cannot access these features.
Any authenticated workspace member can send and receive messages. Customer portal messaging
requires the portal to be enabled for the client's account.
## Prerequisites
* You must be a member of the workspace with an active account.
* For customer portal messaging, the client must have portal access
enabled (see [Manage Customer Portal](/en/how-to/fbo/manage-customer-portal)).
## Navigate to the messaging system
Open the **Mail** item in the sidebar navigation. The messaging page has three panels: a **Navigation** panel on the left with folders (Inbox, Sent, Drafts, Starred, Trash) and a **Compose** button, a **Message List** in the center, and a **Message Detail** panel on the right showing the selected conversation.
## Compose a new message
### Step 1: Open the compose dialog
Click the **Compose** button in the navigation panel.
### Step 2: Fill in message details
Fill in the **To** field (start typing to search workspace members or portal-enabled clients), a **Subject** line, and the **Message** body.
### Step 3: Attach documents
Click the **attachment icon** below the message field to attach files.
Supported file types include PDF, images (JPG, PNG), Word documents,
and spreadsheets. Maximum file size is 10 MB per attachment, with up
to 5 attachments per message.
Drag and drop files directly onto the compose dialog to attach them. The upload progress indicator
shows each file's status.
### Step 4: Send or save as draft
* Click **Send** to deliver the message immediately. Recipients
receive an in-platform notification (and optionally an email
notification based on their preferences).
* Click **Discard** to close without saving.
* Close the dialog without sending to auto-save the message as a
draft in the **Drafts** folder.
## Read and reply to messages
### Step 1: Select a message
Click any message in the list to open it in the detail panel. The
message displays full content, sender information, timestamp, and
attachments. Unread messages show a bold subject line and blue dot
indicator; opening a message marks it as read.
### Step 2: View the conversation thread
If the message is part of a thread, the detail panel shows the
complete conversation history in chronological order with sender
name, avatar, timestamp, and content for each reply.
### Step 3: Reply to the message
At the bottom of the detail panel, type your reply and click
**Send**. The **To** and **Subject** are inherited from the thread.
The reply is appended and all participants receive a notification.
## Message crew about specific trips
You can send trip-related messages directly from the trip detail page,
which automatically links the message to that trip for reference.
### Step 1: Open the trip detail page
Navigate to **Ops > All Trips** and select the trip. On the trip
detail page, click the **Message Crew** button in the header actions
area.
### Step 2: Compose the trip-linked message
The compose dialog opens with the following pre-filled:
* **To** -- All crew members assigned to the trip (PIC, SIC, flight
attendant). You can add or remove recipients.
* **Subject** -- Pre-populated with the trip number and route
(e.g., "TRP-2026-0142: KTEB - KPBI"). Editable.
* **Trip Link** -- A badge showing the linked trip number appears
below the subject. This link is visible to all recipients and
allows them to navigate directly to the trip detail page.
### Step 3: Send the message
Add your message content (e.g., updated departure time, FBO
instructions, weather briefing notes, or catering changes) and click
**Send**.
Trip-linked messages appear both in the recipient's Inbox and on the trip's **Timeline** tab. This
creates a complete communication audit trail alongside status changes, crew assignments, and
flight log entries.
## Customer portal messaging
Charter clients and owners with portal access can exchange messages
with your operations team through the same messaging system.
Portal messaging works bidirectionally. Portal users compose messages
from their portal dashboard, which appear in your workspace Inbox
with a **Portal** label. To message a client, select a portal-enabled
recipient in the **To** field. Messages can be linked to specific
trips for context.
Portal messages display a **Portal** badge in the message list, the
client's name and organization, and a clickable trip number badge
when linked to a trip.
Portal messages are visible to the client. Ensure all communication is appropriate for external
recipients. For internal-only discussions about a client's trip, message your team members
directly without including the client in the recipient list.
## Manage messages
### Star important messages
Click the **star icon** on any message in the list or detail view to
mark it as starred. Starred messages appear in the **Starred** folder
for quick access. Click the star again to unstar.
### Delete messages
Select a message and click **Delete** (trash icon) in the detail
panel toolbar. The message moves to the **Trash** folder. Messages
in Trash are permanently deleted after 30 days.
To restore a message from Trash, open the **Trash** folder, select
the message, and click **Move to Inbox**.
### Search messages
Use the search field at the top of the message list to search by:
* Sender or recipient name.
* Subject line keywords.
* Message body content.
* Trip number (for trip-linked messages).
Results update in real time as you type.
## Read receipts
The messaging system tracks when recipients open your messages:
* In the message detail view, a **Read by** section below the
message content shows each recipient's name and the time they
opened the message.
* Unread recipients show a "Not yet read" status.
* Read receipts are enabled by default and cannot be disabled by
recipients.
For time-sensitive trip communications (departure changes, weather diversions), check read
receipts to confirm that all crew members have seen the update. Follow up with unread recipients
via phone if necessary.
## Notification preferences
Each user controls how they are notified about new messages. Navigate to **Account > Notifications** to toggle **email notifications** (immediate or daily digest) and **push notifications**. In-platform badge counts are always on. For details on all notification channels, see [Notification Channels](/en/reference/notification-channels).
## Related
Create trips that you can link to messages for crew communication.
Set up crew profiles so they appear as message recipients.
Enable portal access for clients to use portal messaging.
How PlaneConnection delivers notifications across email, push, and SMS.