Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 28
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Misconduct
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Equipment / Tooling; Aircraft
We had a Passenger issue in the back of the aircraft; and requested direct to ZZZ. We were given priority handling from ATC. We only had one FMC that had ACARS capability. While I was trying to communicate with our Company via ACARS; my FO; who was flying the aircraft; was unable to get the weather for our arrival; due to a single ACARS setup.I think it could be a continual safety issue; with only a single ACARS setup; in our aircraft when you are in a time sensitive situation; and severely limited to needed information for the safety of the flight. Only one of us could use ACARS at a time.
Air carrier Captain reported about the limits of single FMC/ACARS operations.