United Airlines is one of the major carriers in the United States with its headquarters at Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois. United is recognized as the third-largest airline in the world in terms of fleet size and the number of destinations.
At present, the airline operates flights from 7 different hubs located at various airports across the United States. Talking about fleet size, United owns over 839 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus.
United Polaris Business, United Premium Plus, United First, Economy Plus, Basic Economy, and Economy are the cabin classes offered by United Airlines. These cabin classes offer different amenities and perks to the passengers.
In-flight entertainment is one of the amenities available on all United Airlines flights. As a United passenger, you can enjoy movies, TV programs, and shows and also surf the internet using United Airlines Wifi.
Today, we will explore United Airlines Wifi on board including Wi-Fi technology, subscription fee, speed, review, and much more.
Table of Contents
Introduction to United Airlines Inflight Wifi
United Airlines offers Inflight Wi-Fi service to its passengers which is known as ‘United Wi-Fism’. The inflight Wi-Fi is available on all mainline aircraft and two-cabin regional aircraft.
To access United Wi-Fi, passengers need to connect their Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the ‘United_Wi-Fi’ and then use the internet. There are two options available on the United Airlines Wi-Fi homepage which are Free Messaging or purchasing a plan.
You can simply connect to the Wi-Fi and use the Free Messaging service or purchase a day pass or subscription to surf the web.
Almost all premium transcontinental routes are equipped with Wi-Fi internet access that is managed by United. A Gogo inflight Wi-Fi is available only on two-cabin regional aircraft equipped with United Wi-Fi.
United Inflight Wi-Fi works with Wi-Fi-enabled devices including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Likewise, it supports Android, Apple, Kindle, Windows, Blackberry, and Nokia platforms. As per the browser performance is concerned, the airline suggests using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari (for Mac OS or IOS) for best results.
The Inflight Wi-Fi is available on all Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft and is activated once the aircraft starts cruising. The Wi-Fi will automatically disconnect during the preparation for a landing below 10,000 feet. However, United Wi-Fi is available from takeoff to landing on aircraft including Boeing 737s, 787s, and 777-300s.
United Boeing 737 MAX 9, select Airbus A319, Boeing 737-900, and select Boeing 757-200 operating premium transcontinental flights over North and Central America are equipped with Viasat Internet that offer high-speed Wi-Fi service.
United Airlines Wi-Fi Coverage and Availability
United Airlines currently offers Inflight Wi-Fi in partnership with four Wi-Fi companies including ViaSat, Panasonic, Gogo, and Thales. Passengers can find Wi-Fi coverage information during the reservation.
| Wi-Fi Providers | Available on | Wi-Fi Coverage |
| Gogo | Embraer E170, Embraer E175, Bombardier CRJ-700 and Bombardier CRJ-550 | Continental U.S. and parts of Alaska and Canada |
| Panasonic | Select Airbus A319, A320, Select Boeing 757-200, select 757-300, B767-300ER, B767-400ER, B777-200, B777-200ER, B777-300ER, B787-8, B787-9 and B787-10 | Global |
| Thales | Boeing 737-700, 737-800, 737-900, B737-900ER and select B757-300 | Continental U.S. (except 737 aircraft operating in Guam and Micronesia) |
| ViaSat | Boeing 737 MAX 9, select Airbus A319, select Boeing 737-900 and B757-200 | Continental U.S. Canada, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe |
How to connect to United Wi-Fi and access internet services?
You can go through the following steps to get connected to the United Wi-Fi and purchase for Wi-Fi pass.
Step 1: Enable Airplane Mode
The first thing to do before getting connected to the United Inflight Wi-Fi is to enable Airplane Mode on your Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
Step 2: Connect to “United_Wi-Fi”
After enabling Airplane mode, you need to turn on the Wi-Fi on your device and connect to the Wi-Fi with SSID “United_Wi-Fi”.
Step 3: Access the Wi-Fi homepage “unitedwifi.com”
If your device is successfully connected to the “United_Wi-Fi”, you can proceed to launch your internet browser and visit the United Airlines Wi-Fi homepage.
Step 4: Purchase a plan or use a free messaging
After accessing unitedwifi.com, you can use a free messaging service or purchase an internet access plan.
How to use United Airlines Wifi Free Messaging?
United Airlines passengers can use the United Wi-Fi service for messaging without paying for Wi-Fi passes or subscription fees on select flights. Also, they can purchase internet access with miles or a credit card with free access to United.com
Free Messaging service is available on all Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft except select Boeing 757s, 767s, and 787s. Passengers can use this free messaging plan to send and receive text messages using iMessage, Facebook Messenger, or WhatsApp.
United Airlines Mobile App. Can I download it on board?
You can use the United Airlines mobile app to purchase tickets, view flight status, and access other app-related services. However, you need to make sure the mobile app is already installed on your device before you board your flight. This is due to the reason that you won’t be able to download the United app on board.
As you connect to the “United_Wi-Fi”, you can launch the United App to access the features.
United Airlines Wifi Subscription Plan and Prices
If you just need texting service, you can simply go for United Airlines Free Messaging by connecting your device to the United Wi-Fi. To surf the internet, you need to either purchase a Wi-Fi pass or subscription charges.
| United Wi-Fi Subscription Plan | Price (Miles) |
| Domestic Flights | $10 per flight |
| Regional Flights or For MileagePlus Members | $8 per flight |
| Monthly Plan for North America and Central America | $49 (7,500 miles) |
| Annual Plan for North America and Central America | $539 (80,000 miles) |
| Monthly Plan for Global Flights | $69 (10,500 miles) |
| Annual Plan for Global Flights | $689 (100,000 miles) |
You can use Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover Cards to pay for the Wi-Fi subscription. Besides, you can also use your award miles from the MileagePlus account to pay for the United Wi-Fi on all mainline aircraft. For that, you need to log into your account and use miles (refer to the table above for required miles) to purchase Wi-Fi access.
United Airlines Annual Wifi Subscription
United Airlines passengers can purchase an annual Wi-Fi subscription and the cost is $539 (equivalent to 80,000 miles) for flights within North America and Central America and $689 (equivalent to 100,000 miles) for Global flights.
United Airlines Wifi Day Pass
United passengers can purchase Wi-Fi access for their entire flight with a Wi-Fi Day pass. With this option, they can use email, web browsing, messaging, and VPN services. In addition, a streaming service is also available on select aircraft types.
The Wi-Fi Day Pass is activated one hour before the scheduled departure and works throughout the flight during the 24-hour period. You must join the United Airlines MileagePlus membership and purchase a Wi-Fi Day Pass on the Travel Options page during booking.
The pricing of the United Wi-Fi Day Pass varies by flight route and it is calculated as the combined cost of Wi-Fi for all flight segments to the destination during the Wi-Fi pass period.
You need to go through the following steps to access the Wi-Fi Day Pass.
- Activate Airplane mode and connect to “United_Wi-Fi”.
- Launch your internet browser and access unitedwifi.com
- Sign in to your MileagePlus account and follow the instructions.
Using United Airlines Wifi on Multiple Devices
You can connect your multiple Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the United Inflight Wifi however, all devices can’t access internet service simultaneously. For that, you need to purchase access twice using separate credentials.
You can switch your internet access from one device to another on all mainline aircraft equipped with United Inflight Wi-Fi. To switch between the devices, you are required to sign in with a MileagePlus account on the current device.
After that, open a browser on your second device and choose ‘Switch internet access to a new device.’ Then, sign in with the same MileagePlus account information on the second device. This action will automatically disconnect your previous device and provide internet access to the second device.
United Airlines Wifi Speed
United Airlines currently offers Inflight Wi-Fi in partnership with four companies including Gogo, Panasonic, Thales, and ViaSat. The Internet speed and reliability may differ from company to company.
Is United Airlines Wifi Streaming available?
United Airlines doesn’t offer video streaming on all aircraft as the service is being added to the fleet starting in late 2021. As per the airline, video streaming may be unavailable on certain flights or with certain United Wi-Fi plans.
United Airlines Wifi Does not work (Solutions)
If United Airlines Inflight Wi-Fi does not work on your device, there might be certain reasons behind for which you need to go through some recommendations below.
- First of all, you need to ensure that Airplane Mode is activated on your device.
- Go to your Wi-Fi settings, enable it, and connect to the Wi-Fi with SSID “United_Wi-Fi”.
- Open your internet browser and access united.com
- For Blackberry devices, you need to connect to the “United_Wi-Fi” and then select “Wi-Fi Hotspot Login.” Open your internet browser and press the Blackberry key and choose “Options”. After that, select Browser Configuration and select “BlackBerry” in the Browser ID dropdown.
- In case of disconnection, you can connect to the United Wi-Fi and relaunch your internet browser to get connected again. If you are using VPN, you need to sign in again.
- There might be a temporary interruption in the inflight Wi-Fi service so, you don’t need to apply any action. Internet access will resume once the signal becomes available.
Is Wifi Free on United Airlines? Is Wifi free on United International flights?
Inflight Wi-Fi is not free on United Airlines flights however, you can use their Free Messaging service to send and receive text messages using iMessage, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and so on. Besides, you can use free service to check flight status, find arrival gate, and baggage claim info, view mobile boarding passes, and book a new flight, hotel, or rental car reservations.
United Airlines Wifi Refund Policy
If you did not receive access to the United Wi-Fi or were unable to use the inflight Wi-Fi service, you can request a refund by submitting the refund form. For internet service purchased with Gogo Inflight Wi-Fi on two-cabin regional aircraft including CRJ-550/700 and EMB170, you need to contact Gogo for a refund.
United Airlines provides a refund for your Wi-Fi service in the original form of payment used and the estimated processing time is 7 days. If you have purchased using award miles, it will be credited back to your MileagePlus account.
You are requested to contact your credit card company or the MileagePlus Service center in case the refund does not happen in the given time frame.
Conclusion on United Airlines Wifi
Are you planning to fly with United Airlines soon or have you already booked your flight? If you want to surf the internet high up in the sky, don’t forget to purchase a United Airlines Wi-Fi service for your flight.
If you just want free messaging, you can use the service for free without paying for the United Airlines Wifi service. But for full internet access, you are required to pay for the service. The available plans are Wi-Fi Day Pass (valid for a 24-hour period), Wi-Fi passes for your entire flight, and monthly and annual plans.
FAQs on United Airlines Wifi
Is United Airlines Wi-Fi free?
United Airlines Wi-Fi is not free however, you can use the Free Messaging service to send and receive texts using iMessage, Facebook Messenger, or WhatsApp. Also, you can check your flight status, book your next flight, reserve hotels, and so on with the free service.
How much is Wi-Fi on United Flights?
The cost of inflight Wi-Fi service is $8 per flight for MileagePlus members and $10 per flight for normal passengers. There are monthly and annual plans available.
How do you connect to Wi-Fi on United?
First of all, you need to enable Airplane Mode on your device, turn on the Wi-Fi settings and connect to “United_Wi-Fi”. After that, launch your internet browser and access unitedwifi.com to purchase Wi-Fi service.
How do I get free Wi-Fi on a plane?
Inflight Wi-Fi is not completely free on an aircraft however, some airlines including United and Delta offer free messaging services which can be used to send and receive text messages free using Facebook Messenger, iMessage, or WhatsApp.
