More and more travelers expect fast, secure Wi-Fi as part of their travel experience, and United passengers are no exception. If you’re planning on flying with United Airlines, you may have questions about how Wi-Fi connectivity is handled on board.
Take a look at United Wi-Fi, its prices, and whether you can text and stream videos for free the next time you take to our friendly skies.
Is Wi-Fi available on United Airlines flights?
United offers Wi-Fi on most flights. If you’re not sure whether your flight has Wi-Fi, your airline offers the following services: coverage map This shows Wi-Fi availability based on the type of plane you’re on and your destination.
Importantly, United Airlines says that Wi-Fi availability is “subject to change,” so even if the area map shows Wi-Fi on available flights. But you should always have a backup plan in case your Wi-Fi doesn’t work. This might include printing important work emails before your flight or downloading a show or movie to your tablet before takeoff.
Earn up to 80,000 miles with your favorite United card
Check out our selection of the best United credit cards to find the one that’s right for you.
How to connect to United Airlines’ in-flight Wi-Fi
Connecting to United Wi-Fi only takes a few steps.
-
Find and connect to the “United Wi-Fi” network. If you’re connecting to United Wi-Fi on your phone or tablet, be sure to do this in airplane mode.
-
Launch your internet browser and visit unitedwifi.com.
-
Follow the steps to pay for Wi-Fi (or if you qualify for free Wi-Fi, we’ll show you how to do that below) and follow the steps to log in for free.
Connecting to Wi-Fi onboard gives you free access to United’s apps, in-flight entertainment options, and select messaging services. However, if you want to access other apps and websites, you’ll have to pay for Wi-Fi access.
How much does United Wi-Fi cost?
The payment amount varies depending on the flight route and the airline used. united mileage plus Membership status and other factors. Below is an overview of United’s Wi-Fi pricing options for him.
1 hour rate
If you don’t fly often, it’s safe to pay for Wi-Fi on the plane. On domestic or short-haul international flights, Wi-Fi costs $8 for MileagePlus members and $10 for non-members. Alternatively, you can redeem 1,600 miles for Wi-Fi access.
If you’re on a long-haul international flight, you’ll notice that Wi-Fi prices vary depending on the route.
day pass
If you fly multiple times in a day, consider the United Wi-Fi Day Pass. You can purchase passes in advance when you book your flight or add them to your itinerary later.
It might not save you money (United Airlines says a day pass costs the same as Wi-Fi for every 24-hour flight), but it means you don’t have to buy Wi-Fi. This will save you some effort. Run -Fi multiple times.
Regular purchase
If you fly United frequently, you can purchase a monthly or yearly Wi-Fi subscription. A United Wi-Fi subscription that covers North and Central America costs $49 per month or $539 per year, while a Global Wi-Fi subscription costs $69 per month or $689 per year.
You can also purchase subscriptions using United MileagePlus miles instead of cash.
T-Mobile customers
If you have a T-Mobile Magenta or Magenta MAX plan, you get free United Wi-Fi with streaming services and unlimited text messages. Magenta MAX customers can enjoy these benefits on all United Airlines flights that offer Wi-Fi.
If you have the Magenta plan, you get free Wi-Fi on four flights a year, and unlimited text messages plus 1 hour of free Wi-Fi on all other flights.
united credit card holder
If you have United affiliated credit card, get 25% back in statement credits when you purchase United Wi-Fi with an eligible card. This includes annual and monthly subscriptions, as well as day pass purchases.
Prices for United Wi-Fi vary, but great ways to save money include signing up for a qualifying T-Mobile plan, enrolling in United’s MileagePlus program, or using a United credit card. Includes paying for Wi-Fi.
How to use free Wi-Fi on United Airlines
If you want to take advantage of free Wi-Fi onboard United Airlines flights, you’ll need to have an eligible T-Mobile account. There are two eligible T-Mobile plans: the Magenta plan and the Magenta MAX plan. Here’s what you get with each plan:
-
Magenta MAX. Enjoy unlimited Wi-Fi, streaming and texting during your flight.
-
Red-purple. Unlimited Wi-Fi, streaming, and texting 4 times a year. Additional flights include 1 hour of free Wi-Fi and streaming and unlimited texting.
Additionally, select messaging apps and United’s streaming in-flight entertainment are complimentary on every flight. This will be explained in detail in the next section.
Does United Wi-Fi include text messaging?
United Airlines members looking to stay in touch with friends, family, and co-workers during their flights are in luck.
When you connect to United Wi-Fi, you can send text messages for free through apps like iMessage, Facebook, and WhatsApp. There is no charge.
Can I stream on United Wi-Fi?
United Airlines began adding streaming capabilities (i.e. the ability to watch Netflix and Hulu) to its Wi-Fi in late 2021.
This service is still being rolled out across the airline’s network, so we don’t recommend relying on your flight having streaming capabilities. However, it is expected to become more common in the coming years.
US airline Wi-Fi comparison
Final thoughts on United Airlines Wi-Fi
United Airlines offers Wi-Fi on a variety of planes and routes. Prices vary depending on factors such as the route you take and whether you are a MileagePlus member.
Frequent United Airlines flyers can save money by purchasing a subscription, getting a United Airlines credit card, or signing up for a qualifying T-Mobile plan.
How to maximize your rewards
You need a travel credit card that prioritizes the things that are important to you. Here we have chosen Best Travel Credit Cards of 2024the best ones are included below.
