United WiFi: How to Connect, Pricing & Speed Guide

Quick Answer

United WiFi costs $8 for MileagePlus members ($10 non-members) on domestic flights, with international flights ranging from $22-$37. Free messaging (WhatsApp, iMessage) is available on all flights. T-Mobile customers get complimentary WiFi. Speeds range from 3-5 Mbps (Gogo) to 10-15 Mbps (ViaSat) depending on aircraft.

Need to connect now? Join the unitedwifi.com network and visit unitedwifi.com in your browser.

How to Connect to United WiFi

Step-by-Step Connection Guide

Follow these steps to connect to WiFi on any United flight:

1. Enable Airplane Mode on your device
2. Turn WiFi back on (keep airplane mode enabled)
3. Connect to “unitedwifi.com” network (no password needed)
4. Open your browser - portal may open automatically
5. Visit unitedwifi.com if portal doesn’t appear
6. Choose your option:
   • Free Messaging (WhatsApp, iMessage, Messenger)
   • Paid WiFi Pass (browse, email, stream on select aircraft)
7. Sign in with MileagePlus for member pricing or to pay with miles
8. Start browsing once payment completes

Connection typically takes 1-2 minutes including payment.

Free Options Available

United offers free connectivity options on all WiFi-equipped flights:

United WiFi Pricing (2026)

Domestic & Short-Haul International

Pricing for flights within North America and to/from nearby destinations:

Long-Haul International

Pricing for transatlantic, transpacific, and long international flights (example: London-Newark, 7.5 hours):

Note: Prices vary by route and flight duration. Check unitedwifi.com onboard for exact pricing.

WiFi Passes & Subscriptions

MileagePlus Cardholders receive 25% back on all WiFi purchases as a statement credit.

United WiFi Speed: What to Expect

Speed by WiFi Provider

United uses four different WiFi providers depending on aircraft type:

Real-World Performance

ViaSat Aircraft - Good for:

• HD video streaming (Netflix, YouTube)
• Video calls (Zoom, Teams)
• Large file downloads
• Multiple browser tabs
• Social media with video

Gogo/Thales/Panasonic - Good for:

• Email and messaging
• Web browsing
• Social media (images)
• Music streaming
• Light work tasks

May struggle with (all providers):

• 4K video streaming
• Large file uploads (over 100 MB)
• Multiple simultaneous video calls
• Voice calls (not permitted by FAA)

Test Your United WiFi Speed

Once connected, check your actual in-flight speed:

Run Speed Test →

Testing helps you know if streaming or video calls will work on your flight.

WiFi Coverage by Aircraft

How to Check Your Aircraft

Find your aircraft type before flying:

1. Check booking confirmation email
2. View in United app under flight details
3. Check united.com in My Trips
4. Look at boarding pass (aircraft type listed)

Provider by Aircraft Type

ViaSat (Best Speeds - Streaming Allowed)

Modern narrow-body aircraft with high-speed satellite:

Panasonic (Global Coverage)

International widebody fleet with satellite WiFi:

Thales (Continental US)

Domestic narrow-body fleet:

Gogo (Regional - Ground-Based)

Regional jets with air-to-ground WiFi:

Note: Aircraft assignments can change. Some flights may have limited or no WiFi due to equipment swaps or technical issues.

T-Mobile Partnership Benefits

T-Mobile customers receive complimentary United WiFi on eligible plans:

What T-Mobile Customers Get

How to Activate T-Mobile WiFi

1. Connect to unitedwifi.com network
2. Visit unitedwifi.com in browser
3. Look for T-Mobile option on login page
4. Enter your T-Mobile phone number
5. Receive verification text
6. Confirm and connect

Note: Your phone must have an active T-Mobile plan. Sprint customers on T-Mobile network also eligible.

Troubleshooting United WiFi

Cannot Connect to Network

If “unitedwifi.com” network doesn’t appear:

1. Wait until cruising altitude - WiFi activates after ~10,000 feet
2. Toggle airplane mode off and back on
3. Restart WiFi - Turn off, wait 10 seconds, turn on
4. Restart device - Full restart may be needed
5. Ask flight attendant - Confirm WiFi is available on this flight

Portal Page Not Loading

If connected but unitedwifi.com won’t open:

1. Type URL directly - Enter http://unitedwifi.com (not https)
2. Try alternate URL - Type http://8.8.8.8 to force portal
3. Clear browser cache - Cached pages may interfere
4. Try different browser - Safari, Chrome, Firefox
5. Disable VPN - VPNs block captive portals

Connected But No Internet

If payment completed but browsing doesn’t work:

1. Verify purchase - Return to unitedwifi.com to check status
2. Disconnect VPN - Connect VPN after portal login, not before
3. Check device - Try different browser or app
4. Wait and retry - Network congestion may cause delays
5. Contact crew - Request assistance or refund information

Streaming Not Working

If video apps won’t play:

1. Check aircraft - Only ViaSat aircraft allow streaming
2. Use United app - Free entertainment always works
3. Lower quality - Try 480p instead of 1080p
4. Close other apps - Reduce bandwidth usage

Requesting a Refund

If WiFi didn’t work after purchase:

1. Keep your confirmation email or receipt
2. Note the flight number and date
3. Contact United within 7 days
4. Request refund via united.com/contact or call customer service
5. Refunds typically processed within 5-7 business days

United WiFi vs Other Airlines

How United WiFi compares to competitors:

United advantage: T-Mobile partnership, MileagePlus miles payment option, extensive international coverage.

United disadvantage: Not free for most passengers (unlike Delta SkyMiles or Southwest), one device limit.

Tips for Better United WiFi Performance

Before Your Flight

1. Check aircraft type - ViaSat aircraft have best speeds
2. Download United app - Free entertainment without WiFi
3. Download content offline - Netflix, Spotify, podcasts
4. Join MileagePlus (free) - Save $2 per flight on WiFi
5. Check T-Mobile eligibility - May get free WiFi

During Your Flight

1. Connect early - Less congestion right after takeoff
2. Use free messaging first - Test connection before buying
3. Pay with miles if you have them - Good redemption value
4. Lower video quality - 480p works better than 1080p
5. Close background apps - Save bandwidth for what matters

For Business Travel

1. Buy monthly subscription if flying 6+ times/month
2. Use audio-only for calls when possible
3. Download large files before flight
4. Connect VPN after portal login completes
5. Have mobile hotspot backup for critical needs

Frequently Asked Questions

When does United WiFi turn on?

WiFi is available once the aircraft reaches approximately 10,000 feet after takeoff. Service continues until descent begins. On most flights, this means WiFi works from about 10 minutes after takeoff until 10 minutes before landing.

Can I watch Netflix or YouTube on United WiFi?

Only on ViaSat-equipped aircraft (A319, A321neo, 737 MAX 8/9, select 737-900). Other aircraft block streaming sites. However, you can always stream free movies and TV shows through the United app on any flight.

Why is United WiFi so expensive compared to Delta?

Delta offers free WiFi to SkyMiles members (free to join), while United charges $8-$10 for domestic flights. However, United’s T-Mobile partnership provides free WiFi to millions of T-Mobile customers, and free messaging is available to everyone.

Can I use WiFi on my laptop and phone?

No. United WiFi is limited to one device at a time. You can switch devices by going to unitedwifi.com and selecting a different device, but only one can be connected at any moment.

Does United WiFi work over the ocean?

Yes, on Panasonic-equipped widebody aircraft (757, 767, 777, 787). These use satellite WiFi with global coverage. Gogo and Thales aircraft only work over land (continental US, Canada).

How do I pay with miles instead of cash?

Sign into your MileagePlus account at unitedwifi.com during the purchase process. The miles option will appear alongside credit card payment. Domestic flights cost 800 miles, international varies by duration.

What if I have connection problems mid-flight?

If WiFi drops during your flight, your session should resume automatically when connectivity returns. If you continue having issues, note the flight details and request a refund within 7 days through united.com.

Test Your United WiFi Speed

Check your actual in-flight connection speed:

Run Speed Test Now →

This free tool measures:

• Download speed - Streaming and browsing capability
• Upload speed - Video call and file upload quality
• Latency - Responsiveness for real-time applications

Test takes 30 seconds and helps you optimize your in-flight experience.

Summary

United WiFi costs $8-$10 for domestic flights ($22-$37 international) with free messaging available on all flights. T-Mobile customers get complimentary WiFi. Speeds range from 3-5 Mbps (Gogo regional jets) to 10-15 Mbps (ViaSat aircraft with streaming).

Want streaming? Book flights on A321neo or 737 MAX aircraft for ViaSat’s faster speeds and streaming capability.

Connection issues? Visit http://unitedwifi.com directly, disable VPN during login, or toggle airplane mode to reconnect.

Related Airline WiFi Guides

• Delta WiFi Guide
• American Airlines WiFi Guide
• Southwest WiFi Guide
• JetBlue FlyFi Guide
• Alaska Airlines WiFi Guide

Last Updated: February 3, 2026 Data Source: United Airlines official website, unitedwifi.com, aircraft WiFi provider specifications