✈️ Does United Airlines have Wifi?
Table of Contents
Yes—and big changes are happening.
1. Traditional Wi‑Fi (charged service)
- Availability: Most United flights—including domestic, international, and regional—offer Wi‑Fi, though it may be absent or unreliable on some aircraft united.com+5theverge.com+5adelaidenow.com.au+5businessinsider.com+13nerdwallet.com+13united.com+13.
- Pricing (as of mid‑2025):
- Per‑flight access: around $8 for MileagePlus members, $10 for non‑members (domestic). International pricing varies theverge.com+3nerdwallet.com+3matadornetwork.com+3.
- Day passes: cover unlimited flights in 24 hours.
- Monthly subscriptions: $49 for North/Central America; $69 for global — or redeemed via miles r
- Access perks: MileagePlus members using United credit cards get 25% back, and T‑Mobile Magenta/Magenta MAX plans offer complimentary messaging or full Wi‑Fi
2. Starlink Satellite Wi‑Fi (game‑changer 🚀)
- Rollout: United began flying with Starlink in May 2025, starting with Embraer E‑175 regional jets, with plans to retrofit 40 regional planes per month. The full two‑cabin regional fleet (~200 jets) will be done by end‑2025, followed by main‑line jets
- Performance:
- Speeds: ~128 Mbps download, ~24 Mbps upload in tests theverge.com.
- Gate‑to‑gate coverage (even during taxi/runway), no cut‑off above 10,000 feet
- Cost: Free for all MileagePlus members—no paywall or subscription needed
3. How to know if your flight has Starlink
- United emails passengers the evening before for Starlink‑equipped flights; app trip details will also specify united.com+15reddit.com+15investopedia.com+15.
- Currently, only select UAX E170/E175 aircraft offer it—the regional fleet rollout continues fortune.com+10reddit.com+10nypost.com+10.
Summary Table
| Wi‑Fi Type | Speed & Coverage | Cost (MileagePlus member) |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy (Panasonic/Viasat/Intelsat) | Variable, often limited to cruise altitude | $8/flight, or $49–$69/month |
| Starlink (new rollout) | 128 Mbps+, gate-to-gate, low latency | Free for MileagePlus users |
Why This Matters
- Free, fast, reliable connectivity across North America—no more paying per flight.
- Better streaming, gaming, remote work capability at altitude.
- United leads major U.S. carriers in satellite Wi‑Fi adoption reddit.com+11theverge.com+11theverge.com+11reddit.comthesun.co.uk+4broadbandbreakfast.com+4nypost.com+4.
Practical Tips for Flyers
- Check before you go: Look for a Starlink alert in trip details or your pre-flight email.
- If it’s not Starlink: Buy access onboard or ahead of time—consider a day-pass or monthly plan if you’re frequent.
- MileagePlus cardholders: Use your United credit card to recoup 25% of your Wi‑Fi costs nerdwallet.com.
- T‑Mobile users: Magenta/Magenta MAX accounts get free streaming & texting benefits
In the Sky, Right Now
A recent Verge test flight on a Starlink‑equipped E‑175 showed gate-to-gate coverage with average download speeds of 128 Mbps and upload around 24 Mbps, enabling smooth browsing, streaming, gaming—and even video calls (though United discourages them)
🧭 Final Verdict
Yes—United Airlines does have Wi‑Fi. You can still pay for legacy service, but the big news is free, high-speed Starlink Wi‑Fi for MileagePlus members, starting with regional jets in Spring 2025 and expanding fleetwide. It’s fast, reliable, and will transform your flight experience. Just check your flight details to see if you’re flying on a Starlink-connected plane!
