United Wifi is Unusable / Problems Connecting to United_Wi-Fi
#16
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BOS (South End)
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, TrueBlue, IHG Plat Amb, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Accor Platinum, National Exec Elite
Posts: 907
Last week A320 BOS-IAH equipped...system was totally down entire flight and unusable. Later in the week IAH-BOS...$9.99 and could barely send small emails or timed out for the entire flight. Granted full flight so bandwidth was probably slim to nil but still a joke when UA is sending out marketing emails reminding you that the plane has wifi. Offered 5K miles for the troubles.
#17
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Gold-MM, AA Gold-MM, F9-Silver, Hyatt Something, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,392
Last week A320 BOS-IAH equipped...system was totally down entire flight and unusable. Later in the week IAH-BOS...$9.99 and could barely send small emails or timed out for the entire flight. Granted full flight so bandwidth was probably slim to nil but still a joke when UA is sending out marketing emails reminding you that the plane has wifi. Offered 5K miles for the troubles.
I'd be happy to buy 5K miles for $9.99! And get some 14.4K internet for free!
#18
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BOS (South End)
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, TrueBlue, IHG Plat Amb, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Accor Platinum, National Exec Elite
Posts: 907
Haha exactly!!! Yeah I wrote to 1kvoice stating my frustration that they are marketing a service that is clearly not reliable and consistent. While I enjoy being disconnected I had booked these specific flights in order to get some work done which was not possible at all. Stated the facts and they quickly responded with that offer.
#19
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,452
I had a 320 a week or so ago where I pulled out my laptop just to check out the wi-fi. Of the big 3 browsers, only Firefox could load www.united.com. I played around fixing some seat assignments, and it literally took me about 7 minutes just to change seats on a 4 segment itinerary.
Admittedly, I didn't pay anything for the service, just holy cow, that's just unbelievable. Who pays for this stuff?
Admittedly, I didn't pay anything for the service, just holy cow, that's just unbelievable. Who pays for this stuff?
#20
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Gold-MM, AA Gold-MM, F9-Silver, Hyatt Something, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,392
From a technical standpoint, this just seems surprising. The only free content is United.com so it seems like United would want their customers to be able to access it. Heck, somebody might even buy a ticket!
#21
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1k, SPG Plat 100
Posts: 619
I've found it to be a mixed bag. It's been very hit or miss on both the Gogo system used on ps and the more common global satellite system (Panasonic?). Haven't had a change to try the system in DirecTV planes yet. Personally, I'm glad they chose a global system over a CONUS-only system, even if it does take a bit longer to iron out. They always refund me if the service truly sucks anyways.
#23
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Minneapolis, MN (MSP)
Programs: DL DM, UA 1K MM, Subway Club Member
Posts: 1,988
I must be in an alternate universe. The last month or two I've found wifi to be very available (10 out of 10 on my last airbus flights). I've been impressed with speed too, I think it's often as fast or faster than when teathered to my iPhone on AT&T LTE.
I know UA had a rough period last year and early this with roll out but I think it's fairly solid now (assuming you're on a plane with it installed). The only thing ice noticed is that it takes 5-10 minutes to fire up after clearing 10k feet (red to green icon) but after that it's been good for me. Well worth the $7-10 and far superior to the old flip down screens.
Clearly I seem to be in the minority.
BTW, I haven't tried using any of the free offers so I cannot comment on the speed there.
I know UA had a rough period last year and early this with roll out but I think it's fairly solid now (assuming you're on a plane with it installed). The only thing ice noticed is that it takes 5-10 minutes to fire up after clearing 10k feet (red to green icon) but after that it's been good for me. Well worth the $7-10 and far superior to the old flip down screens.
Clearly I seem to be in the minority.
BTW, I haven't tried using any of the free offers so I cannot comment on the speed there.
#24
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Platinum, SPG Platinum
Posts: 1,990
The sad thing is that UA WiFi has actually gotten BETTER since I made this post: http://upgrd.com/blogs/cloudcommutin...e-results.html
#26
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,310
My experience matches most here - Transocean flights have been surpirsingly good - CONUS intolerable. Maybe no one on OTW flights thinks its avaialable so it's all mine but who knows - and agree with all - other airlines seem to be able to manage this much better... I read somewhere that it costs about $200k per plane to convert to wifi availability - that's not chump change....
#27
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,309
Wifi
I've been on a number of ORD/SFO/ORD flights in the past few months. I've used wifi on all and it's been great. Fast and reliable. Reasonably priced minor downtime issues but if it went down came back within 10-20 min. Either way I was happy with it
#28
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
I suggest that many hosts, when they purchased the equipment, didn't acquire the capacity for today's and future demands. Slightly OT, I find this to be a regular phenomenon particularly at hotels, and notably in hotels that are in a hotel cluster. Particularly between about 8 and 11 pm. Even when they've tried to compensate by providing several routers. And on transportation, particularly near the beginning and the end of the trip.
Back to United, it's unclear where they are on this progress continuum, but accounts on the ground - er, in the air - raise questions that we see here.
Paging Consumer Reports?
#29
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
I know UA had a rough period last year and early this with roll out but I think it's fairly solid now (assuming you're on a plane with it installed). The only thing ice noticed is that it takes 5-10 minutes to fire up after clearing 10k feet (red to green icon) but after that it's been good for me. Well worth the $7-10 and far superior to the old flip down screens.
My last trip I sat next to an intermittent UA flyer who was simply incredulous. Couldn't imagine why a tech manager like myself would choose UA over VX or B6 on this route.
He has a point.
Last edited by RandomBaritone; Apr 3, 2014 at 2:11 pm Reason: Removed mistaken assertion regarding competitors on this route.
#30
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,309
hmm
well, on BOS-SFO you choose UA over AA as AA requires a connection.
So, if you want a nonstop, you fly UA. Wifi will be there eventually, fleeting decisions aren't really made based on wifi, they're based on economics of the aircraft for the particular mission. BOS-SFO is high volume and decent fares. They need the capacity of a 757 on certain flights/ times of day. So that's where it's assigned.
So, if you want a nonstop, you fly UA. Wifi will be there eventually, fleeting decisions aren't really made based on wifi, they're based on economics of the aircraft for the particular mission. BOS-SFO is high volume and decent fares. They need the capacity of a 757 on certain flights/ times of day. So that's where it's assigned.
You'll get no argument from me that wifi is the future: I think they're right on target with pricing, and in prioritizing it above other types of inflight entertainment and service. What's appalling to me is how slowly and inconsistently they're rolling it out. I fly BOS<>SFO once or twice a month. This is a nearly seven-hour flight when traveling westward -- the longest continental nonstop they fly -- and 90% of the time I'm on an older 752 with neither wifi nor power, even in F.
My last trip I sat next to a regular AA flyer who was simply incredulous. Couldn't conceive why I'd choose UA over AA on this route.
He has a point.
My last trip I sat next to a regular AA flyer who was simply incredulous. Couldn't conceive why I'd choose UA over AA on this route.
He has a point.