Does United Airlines have Free Wifi? Here’s the Truth!

If you’re wondering, “Does United Airlines have free WiFi?” You’ve found the information you’re looking for. Many passengers want to stay connected on the flight, be it for work or to pass the time. It can get frustrating to stay disconnected for hours, so knowing the WiFi situation before you fly is important.  

This article gives you the scoop on their WiFi policy. You will know who gets free WiFi and what options everyone else has. Also, you will learn about its costs to connect, what kind of speeds you can expect, and more. So, if you’re planning a United flight and want to stay connected, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about their WiFi service.  

Starlink Getting Introduced Soon

The airline is creating hype with a huge improvement to how you connect on their flights. They’re bringing Starlink’s super-fast internet to all their planes even sooner than planned, and it’s free for everyone who’s a MileagePlus member! This isn’t just a little better; United says it will completely change how you experience flying.  You can watch your favorite shows, shopping, or even play games without any interruptions, all while you’re on the flight.  

Fast Rollout, Wide Availability

United is working fast to add Starlink to its planes. They will start testing it on a small plane this spring, and the first passenger flight with Starlink will happen soon after. By the end of 2025, all of United’s smaller, two-cabin planes should have Starlink. They also plan to have their first big, mainline plane flying with Starlink before the end of this year. United’s big goal is to put Starlink on every plane they have.

Free for MileagePlus Members

This super-fast internet is free for everyone in United’s MileagePlus club. Joining MileagePlus is easy and free. So, millions of flyers will soon enjoy smooth, uninterrupted internet while they fly.

More Than Just Internet

They see Starlink as a key to many new things. It will open doors to exciting partnerships and better perks for MileagePlus members. You get even better in-flight movies and shows, personalized shopping just for you, and other cool stuff.

Why Starlink?

SpaceX built Starlink, a super cool network of satellites that brings the internet to Earth.  These satellites fly much closer to Earth than other satellites. This low orbit makes the internet much faster and more responsive. You get better streaming, quicker downloads, and an all-around better online experience, even up in the sky on an airplane.

Current WiFi Costs for All Passengers

Free Starlink WiFi is an excellent bonus for United Airlines MileagePlus members that will get initiated soon. But currently, you have to pay for WiFi even if you’re a mileage member. Check out the costs below:

Wi-Fi Day Pass

You can buy a Wi-Fi Day Pass if you’re flying a short trip within the US or even to nearby countries like Canada or Mexico. This pass lets you use the internet for your whole flight. It costs $10, but you get it for only $8 if you’re a MileagePlus member.

Subscription Plans

If you fly a lot, think about getting a monthly or yearly WiFi plan. These plans save you money if you fly often. A monthly plan costs at least $49, and a yearly plan starts at $539.  With a subscription, you get WiFi on every United flight. You don’t need to buy a pass each time you fly.

WiFi Day Pass (For short flights)
Other Passengers	Mileage Customer
$10	$8 or 800 miles
Subscription Plans (For frequent flyers)
Monthly Plan	Annual Plan
$49	$539

How to Connect to United WiFi?

Connecting to United WiFi is a simple process. Get a step-by-step procedure here to get you online in the sky:

• Preparation- It’s a good idea to get ready before you fly. If you’re using a phone or tablet, download the United app before you get on the plane. This can make connecting to the WiFi easier.
• Connect to the WiFi Network- After the plane takes off, turn on airplane mode on your phone or tablet. This is important for using WiFi on the plane. Then, go to your device’s WiFi settings. Find the network named “United WiFi” (or similar) and select it to connect.
• Access the United WiFi Portal—Open your phone or tablet’s internet browser. It should take you right to the United WiFi page. If it doesn’t, you can type unitedwifi.com into your browser yourself.
• Choose your WiFi Option—You might buy a pass just for your flight or get a subscription. You can usually pay with a credit card, and sometimes, you can even use your MileagePlus miles.
• Enjoy Your Connection—You’re ready to go after you connect and pay! You can surf the web, read your emails, use social media, or do anything else online until the plane lands.

Benefits Of United WiFi

It offers a lot of great benefits that can make your flight time much more enjoyable and productive. Here are some benefits:   

• Stay Connected- If you need to finish a presentation or answer emails, their WiFi helps you work while you fly, so you don’t get behind. To chat with family and friends, you can send messages, share updates, and use social media. Looking for something to do?  Stream your favorite shows, movies, and music, or read the news and browse the internet.
• Increased Productivity- Use your flight time well by working or planning your trip. Stay up-to-date by checking important information, flight updates, and your schedule.
• Improved In-Flight Experience- For fun, you can watch videos and play games. To relax, you can browse the internet or listen to music. United WiFi also makes things easy by letting you stay connected and get the information you need, all from your seat.
• Free Messaging- You can still text for free on most United flights, even if you don’t buy a complete WiFi pass.  Use apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger to send messages to your friends and family.
• Starlink Advantage- United is improving its WiFi with Starlink. It makes the internet faster and more responsive, making it easier to stream videos, download files, and make video calls while you fly.

Alternatives to In-Flight WiFi

Sometimes, the WiFi on a plane isn’t great, and you might want to save money or not use it. There are lots of other fun things you can do on your United flight to pass the time.

• Pre-downloaded Entertainment- Download movies and shows before your flight so you can watch them on the plane without needing the internet. You can also download music and podcasts to listen to offline. If reading is your thing, download ebooks or audiobooks. 
• In-Flight Entertainment- Their flights have screens right in front of your seat. You can watch movies and TV shows and play games on them. It’s a classic way to have fun on a flight. Their app also lets you watch movies and shows, even if the plane doesn’t have WiFi.
• Offline Apps and Games- You can use offline apps to work on tasks like writing papers, editing photos, or sorting files. You can also download games that don’t need the internet, which is a fun way to kill time, especially on long flights.
• Old-School Entertainment- Bring a real book or magazine to read on the plane. It’s nice to give your eyes a rest from screens and enjoy reading the old-fashioned way. You can also bring a notebook and write about your trip or plan your next trip.
• Sleep and Relaxation- Use your flight to get some sleep. Pack an eye mask and a comfy neck pillow to help you rest. Chill and clear your mind with meditation. 
• Faster In-Flight WiFi: Tips & Tricks- Even if United’s Starlink WiFi is super quick, it’s still smart to watch how much data you use. This helps everyone have a good online experience. 
• Focus on What Matters- If you don’t have much time or the internet is slow, do the most important things first. Check your work emails or send urgent messages right away. Things like looking at social media or watching fun videos can wait until you land.
• Control Your Data Usage- Apps running in the background can use up your data without you even knowing it.  Streaming videos and music uses a lot of data fast. It’s even better to download videos and music before your flight.  
• Boost Your WiFi Speed- Stop apps from updating in the background when you’re not using them. This will save you data. Also, turn off videos that start playing by themselves on websites and social media. This will save you a lot of data, too. 
• Use Bandwidth Wisely- Don’t download big files like movies or software updates.  These large downloads use up a lot of internet, making it slow for everyone else on the plane.  Also, try not to upload big files, like videos or photos. 
• Timing is Key- Try to use the WiFi when it’s not as busy on the plane. This could be at the beginning or end of the flight when fewer people are online.
• Sharing the Bandwidth—Don’t use up much of the internet, like streaming HD videos or playing online games. These activities can slow down the internet for everyone else.

Final Thoughts!

So, does United Airlines have free WiFi?  The answer is yes for MileagePlus members, especially with the exciting rollout of the upcoming Starlink, which means faster, more reliable internet for those who fly United often. For other passengers, WiFi options are available for purchase. If you’re working, relaxing, or staying connected with family, it offers ways to access the internet in the sky. 

Frequently Asked Questions