May 22, 2013, 7:52 am
Last edit by: gengar
Wifi Completion Status (Last Updated: 1/16/2015)
United Wi-Fi installation
Mainland USA
Worldwide Coverage
Worldwide Coverage Area
Satellite coverage may experience outages for reasons such as government regulations, weather and switching between satellite regions.
Gogo (PS Flights) Coverage Area
Pricing Data Points
City Pair / ~ Duration / Standard Cost / Premium Cost / Comments on Quality
747-400 (Panasonic):
A319/A320 (Panasonic):
City Pair / ~ Duration / Standard or Limited Access Cost / Premium or Full Access Cost / Comments on Quality
737s (Thales LiveTV): [prices are per-hour]
United Wi-Fi installation
Mainland USA
- B737 - 187/253 Complete (74%)
- B757 - 26/133 Complete (20%)
Worldwide Coverage
- A319 - 55/55 Complete (100%)
- A320 - 97/97 Complete (100%)
- B747 - 24/24 Complete (100%)
- B767 - 2/51 Complete (4%)
- B777 - 42/74 Complete (57%)
- B787 - 3/14 Complete (21%)
Worldwide Coverage Area
Gogo (PS Flights) Coverage Area
Pricing Data Points
City Pair / ~ Duration / Standard Cost / Premium Cost / Comments on Quality
747-400 (Panasonic):
- SFO-FRA / 10 hrs / ?? / $22.99 / (5/2013) Peak speed was 6.5Mbps down, 2Mbps up. 700ms latency. awesome. (unavaca)
- HNL-NRT / 8 hrs / $14.99 / $22.99 / The service worked all the way across the pacific, I was surprised at how reliable it was. The speediest I did topped out at .26mb, hardly "premium", but if you're ok with general web browsing and chatting with iMessage, it worked like a champ.
- LAX-SYD / 14 hrs / $16.99 / No premium options. (Col Ronson) 3Mbps download speed test, worked for 95% of flight
- SFO-HKG / 15 hrs / $16.99 / No premium option / (1/2014) (unavaca) speedtest immediately after wi-fi was available gave 700ms, 7Mbit down, 0.5Mbit up
- BKK-NRT / 5 hr / $16.99 / No premium option / (SS255)
- PEK-SFO / 11 hr / $16.99 / No premium option / Net access kept going down over the Pacific / Ookla speedtest 3.09 Mbps down, 0.23 Mbps up, 894ms RTT.
A319/A320 (Panasonic):
- EWR-SFO / 6 hrs / $12.99 / $19.99 (IIRC)
- EWR-SFO / 6 hrs / $14.99 / no premium option (3/2014) (greg99) speedtest 2498kbps d/l and an awesome 95kbps u/l (not a typo) 578ms latency
- SFO-PHL / ~5.5 hrs / $14.99 / no premium option (4/2014) (qisu) didn't do speed test. good part of the flight had slow speed or no connection at all.
- PHL-SFO / 6 hrs / $12.99 / no premium option (4/2014) (qisu) speedtest 2-3megabits down.
- PHL-IAH / 4 hrs / $9.99 / $12.99 (IIRC, standard may have been $7.99?)
- PHL-IAH / 3 hrs / $6.99 / no premium option [10/2013]
- ORD-LAS / 3.5 hrs / $7.99 / No premium option. (lenscap)
- ORD-SEA / 4 hrs / $9.99 / No premium option. (qisu)
- ORD-LAX / 4 hrs / $8.99 / No premium option / speedtest peak 3mbps, average 600kbps to 1.5mbps
- ORD-YVR / 4 hrs / $8.99 / No premium option / speedtest 3.86 Mbps to 10.70 Mbps down / 0.18 to 0.37 Mbps up - very reliable throughout the flight
- IAD-LAX / 5 hrs / $12.99 / No premium option / speedtest peak 1.5mbps, average 400kbps to 800kbps, worked for 80% of flight but pretty spotty at times, but at least FA announced signal was poor
- IAD-SEA / 5 hrs / $12.99 / No premium option / A319
- SFO-LAX / 1 hr / $3.99 / No premium option / A319 (greg99)
- SFO-ORD / 4 hr / $9.99 / No premium option / A320 / Pretty reliable, up most of the flight
- IAH-SEA / 4.5 hrs / $8.99 / no premium option A320 (6/2014) (qisu) speedtest 5megabits down, 0.2 megabits up.
City Pair / ~ Duration / Standard or Limited Access Cost / Premium or Full Access Cost / Comments on Quality
737s (Thales LiveTV): [prices are per-hour]
- IAH-TPA / ?? / $1 / $2 / (2/2014) (ssullivan) 23-25Mbps downstream (Premium/full access service). No service over Gulf of Mexico.
- MIA-EWR / 2 hr / $1 / $2 / (3/2014) (hirohito888) 16Mbps down, 1Mbps up [not sure if this is for the regular or full access]
- PDX-IAH / 4 hr / $1 / $2 / (4/2014) (qisu) regular was very slow, speed test about 100kilobits down.
- SEA-IAH / 4 hr / $1 / $2 / (5/2014) (edcho) full access was speedy. 22 Mbps down and 2 Mbps up. Ping was 700ms.
- SEA-IAH / 4 hr / $1 / $2 / (6/2014) (qisu) full access, 5-15 Mbps down, 0.2 Mbps up.
United Launches Satellite-Based Wi-Fi Service
Jul 6, 2015, 8:04 pm
#616
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: IAH
Programs: *AG, Choice Privileges Elite Diamond, SPG Gold, La Quinta Returns Gold, Wyndham Rewards Gold
Posts: 466
My wife had this problem once sitting right next to me while I was connected just fine. My theory is that this is about connection capacity of the on-board WiFi router. In light of this theory, my practice is to always connect my device to the on-board WiFi as soon as the network becomes available (either upon boarding or, sometimes, after the plane door is closed), even though the Internet access is still unavailable. Although this doesn't prove my theory is correct, I have never had any trouble connecting even on flights where other people have complained to the FAs that they are getting this error. And since I suggested to my wife that she do this, she has never had any trouble either.
And it's definitely not any general issue with Chrome on Android, as that is how I always connect.
UPDATE: Just to clarify: What I think is going on is that the system is set to refuse additional connections once some capacity limit is reached, but once you are connected to the WiFi router, then you are never kicked off. So the idea is to connect as soon as possible.
And it's definitely not any general issue with Chrome on Android, as that is how I always connect.
UPDATE: Just to clarify: What I think is going on is that the system is set to refuse additional connections once some capacity limit is reached, but once you are connected to the WiFi router, then you are never kicked off. So the idea is to connect as soon as possible.
From now on, if I need Wifi access on the plane, i will be the very first person in line in Group 2. And I will provision access when I am walking on the plane.
I really wish we didn't have have to play these games with UA - but evidently, we do.
Jul 6, 2015, 8:53 pm
#617
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
The system on the 737s can handle 150+ connected devices and has done so on multiple occasions on JetBlue flights. It is not a capacity issue in that context.
Sep 23, 2015, 7:18 am
#618
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
Does anyone know which system is installed on the 753s? I have a 753 flight coming up over water, and it's showing a WiFi icon, but no DTV.
I seem to recall being on a 753 a while back that had the over-water WiFi. Then again, I also recall being on a 753 that had DirecTVs, so is the 753 a mixed deployment?
I seem to recall being on a 753 a while back that had the over-water WiFi. Then again, I also recall being on a 753 that had DirecTVs, so is the 753 a mixed deployment?
Sep 23, 2015, 10:12 am
#619
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Sep 23, 2015, 10:18 am
#620
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
Oct 20, 2015, 8:34 am
#621
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
United Wifi Price Differences
Hey FT!
I went from SFO to MSY on 10/14 and was charged a flat fee of $8.99. On the return flight yesterday, I was charged an hourly rate which totaled around $15.
Do any of you folks know why this would have been the case?
Thank you all in advance.
I went from SFO to MSY on 10/14 and was charged a flat fee of $8.99. On the return flight yesterday, I was charged an hourly rate which totaled around $15.
Do any of you folks know why this would have been the case?
Thank you all in advance.
Oct 20, 2015, 8:57 am
#622
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
Oct 20, 2015, 10:02 am
#624
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Here is what UA provides for disclosure:
"Pricing for Internet access will vary. On most aircraft equipped with United Wi-Fi, pricing for Internet access is determined and charged by flight segment (from takeoff to landing). On aircraft equipped with DIRECTV, pricing for Internet access is a fixed per-hour rate, with access and charges starting at the time of purchase and ending when you disconnect."
"Pricing for Internet access will vary. On most aircraft equipped with United Wi-Fi, pricing for Internet access is determined and charged by flight segment (from takeoff to landing). On aircraft equipped with DIRECTV, pricing for Internet access is a fixed per-hour rate, with access and charges starting at the time of purchase and ending when you disconnect."
Oct 20, 2015, 10:35 am
#625
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 518
I find it very surprising that Wi-Fi on TPAC 747 is $12.95 for a 14-hour flight, yet on United Express the Gogo Wi-Fi is $21.95 for a 3-hour flight.
Oct 20, 2015, 11:24 am
#626
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
$12.95? I usually see something like $16.99 for a TPAC.
Oct 20, 2015, 12:16 pm
#627
Formally known as reinmedia
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Los Angeles | Honolulu
Programs: AA EXP | EX UA 1K | Marriot Titanium
Posts: 363
That's the beauty of UA's WIFI systems, you never know what you are going to get. Some are a flat fee, others are by the hour. Mobile only is an option sometimes, others it's all or nothing. Then there is GoGo which is different all-together.
I hope they streamline the offering soon. I personally prefer the UA system that allows you to login with your MP account and has your credit card saved on file. Entering it in each time is a pain.
I hope they streamline the offering soon. I personally prefer the UA system that allows you to login with your MP account and has your credit card saved on file. Entering it in each time is a pain.
Oct 20, 2015, 1:25 pm
#628
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
It is getting closer and closer to a single solution. Lots of pieces to manage and it isn't there yet. But that's the direction.
Oct 20, 2015, 7:50 pm
#629
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: BWI/WAS
Programs: UA 1K, *A Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 36
Experienced something similar when heading to Asia. Domestic 737 had hourly wifi. 787 TRANSPAC had a flat fee. Looking forward to a single system!
Oct 20, 2015, 8:14 pm
#630
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: BWI/WAS
Programs: UA 1K, *A Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 36
Apologies if there is another thread addressing this, but should premium cabin passengers get wifi for free on their flight? Maybe a special access code would solve this. Just sayin :P