Jun 27, 2015, 2:38 pm
Questions/Discussion About WiFi Availability and Service on UA Flights [2015-onward]
Apr 25, 2015, 7:01 am
#61
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Remember back in 2000 when AA offered "more room throughout coach" and the entire coach cabin offered extra legroom versus a couple rows? Pretty innovative back then, but they mistakenly thought the concept would allow them to recoup the cost of removing a few rows, and passengers would be willing to buy higher priced tickets, something that they weren't ready to do back then (and probably before the term "ancillary revenue" was in play as much as it is today). UA went a different direction and offered that in a couple rows, something that AA ultimately had to fall back on when their original concept failed to generate the revenue to justify keeping it in place.
Back around the same time UA had recliner seats while AA had started installing their slanted flat seat product. I took many a trip to Australia in those recliners.
There's always someone playing catch-up with someone else. If UA had gone in a different direction on extra legroom, as AA did, you could have had a whole economy cabin with E+, but market forces and management teams took them in different directions. The next challenge might be aisle access from every seat in business (1-2-1), something that AA offers on the 777-300. Waiting to see what UA offers there when they start taking delivery of the same aircraft.
Back around the same time UA had recliner seats while AA had started installing their slanted flat seat product. I took many a trip to Australia in those recliners.
There's always someone playing catch-up with someone else. If UA had gone in a different direction on extra legroom, as AA did, you could have had a whole economy cabin with E+, but market forces and management teams took them in different directions. The next challenge might be aisle access from every seat in business (1-2-1), something that AA offers on the 777-300. Waiting to see what UA offers there when they start taking delivery of the same aircraft.
Apr 29, 2015, 7:16 pm
#62
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LHR
Programs: GlobalEntry, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 198
*Shocked!*
UA584 LAX-IAD - ancient 757-222, no wifi (of course), overhead TV. (thank god this plane is due to exit soon). N528UA (#5428)
UA1701 IAD-LAX - Brand new 737-900, no IFE, but power and wifi. N66837 (#3837)
Wifi works surprisingly well, although I noticed that their DNS forwarding is ... slow, so I jumped on my VPN and its actually better than dealing with whatever MITM crap they have running.
United wifi plain:
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5598 ttl=49 time=718.332 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5599 ttl=49 time=831.065 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5600 ttl=49 time=760.462 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5601 ttl=49 time=782.182 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5602 ttl=49 time=680.163 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5603 ttl=49 time=996.050 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5604 ttl=49 time=753.775 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5605 ttl=49 time=625.529 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5606 ttl=49 time=689.977 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5607 ttl=49 time=666.249 ms
Through VPN:
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8972 ttl=58 time=812.399 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8973 ttl=58 time=740.196 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8974 ttl=58 time=729.182 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8975 ttl=58 time=764.088 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8976 ttl=58 time=797.312 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8977 ttl=58 time=817.212 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8978 ttl=58 time=811.717 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8979 ttl=58 time=757.607 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8980 ttl=58 time=789.128 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8981 ttl=58 time=747.435 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8982 ttl=58 time=829.866 ms
UA1701 IAD-LAX - Brand new 737-900, no IFE, but power and wifi. N66837 (#3837)
Wifi works surprisingly well, although I noticed that their DNS forwarding is ... slow, so I jumped on my VPN and its actually better than dealing with whatever MITM crap they have running.
United wifi plain:
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5598 ttl=49 time=718.332 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5599 ttl=49 time=831.065 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5600 ttl=49 time=760.462 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5601 ttl=49 time=782.182 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5602 ttl=49 time=680.163 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5603 ttl=49 time=996.050 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5604 ttl=49 time=753.775 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5605 ttl=49 time=625.529 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5606 ttl=49 time=689.977 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=5607 ttl=49 time=666.249 ms
Through VPN:
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8972 ttl=58 time=812.399 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8973 ttl=58 time=740.196 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8974 ttl=58 time=729.182 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8975 ttl=58 time=764.088 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8976 ttl=58 time=797.312 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8977 ttl=58 time=817.212 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8978 ttl=58 time=811.717 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8979 ttl=58 time=757.607 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8980 ttl=58 time=789.128 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8981 ttl=58 time=747.435 ms
64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=8982 ttl=58 time=829.866 ms
May 1, 2015, 8:54 am
#63
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NJ
Programs: United Silver, Hyatt, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Amex Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 751
Wifi not working after paying for it?
Earlier this week was on UA PEK-EWR flight.
Beginning of flight I purchased the $16.99 Wifi....
It worked 1 hour into flight for about an hour...and then maybe for 20 min and end of flightabout 2 hours out of EWR.
I constantly checked through out the flight (didn't sleep that much) and it was always unavailable.
What would be best/easiest step to get reimbursed....assuming I can...?
Thanks in advance...
Beginning of flight I purchased the $16.99 Wifi....
It worked 1 hour into flight for about an hour...and then maybe for 20 min and end of flightabout 2 hours out of EWR.
I constantly checked through out the flight (didn't sleep that much) and it was always unavailable.
What would be best/easiest step to get reimbursed....assuming I can...?
Thanks in advance...
May 1, 2015, 9:04 am
#64
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 73
http://www.united.com/refunds is usually pretty helpful if you explain your issue to them
May 1, 2015, 9:45 am
#65
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NJ
Programs: United Silver, Hyatt, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Amex Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 751
http://www.united.com/refunds is usually pretty helpful if you explain your issue to them
May 4, 2015, 12:36 pm
#66
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
They really need to fix this.
It's true that I may be in the minority, but I just cancelled a $1200 domestic ticket back east for this week because 3/4 of my flights would not have wifi, and based upon recent experience, I couldn't count on it working on the other one. I couldn't afford to be out of touch for that extended period of time this week, given everything going on at the office.
I considered booking away from UA, but I couldn't make the connections work on DL or AA to fit the schedule I had, so I'm just not traveling. It sucks, and it's one more dent in the rapidly thinning armor of loyalty to UA.
BTW, this was one of those tickets that UA is trying to incentivize - I would have received more miles than I earned as a 1K under the old system.
Greg
It's true that I may be in the minority, but I just cancelled a $1200 domestic ticket back east for this week because 3/4 of my flights would not have wifi, and based upon recent experience, I couldn't count on it working on the other one. I couldn't afford to be out of touch for that extended period of time this week, given everything going on at the office.
I considered booking away from UA, but I couldn't make the connections work on DL or AA to fit the schedule I had, so I'm just not traveling. It sucks, and it's one more dent in the rapidly thinning armor of loyalty to UA.
BTW, this was one of those tickets that UA is trying to incentivize - I would have received more miles than I earned as a 1K under the old system.
Greg
May 16, 2015, 12:56 pm
#67
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,855
United wifi -- is this the end of all free on-board entertainment?
The ads for United wifi look like they are suggesting that the "future" of being passenger friendly means
1. You will have to pay for any entertainment since it will all be on wi-fi.
2. You will have to bring your own device and your own headset on board since the wi-fi is only accessible that way.
I'd be especially pissed off it I had bought a international long-haul ticket for $9,000 and was still expected to pay for wi-fi and use my own device. But this would be a major service degradation in all classes, even worse than the current DirectTV service on the new, cramped 737's already are.
Or am I missing something?
1. You will have to pay for any entertainment since it will all be on wi-fi.
2. You will have to bring your own device and your own headset on board since the wi-fi is only accessible that way.
I'd be especially pissed off it I had bought a international long-haul ticket for $9,000 and was still expected to pay for wi-fi and use my own device. But this would be a major service degradation in all classes, even worse than the current DirectTV service on the new, cramped 737's already are.
Or am I missing something?
May 16, 2015, 1:01 pm
#69
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
The ads for United wifi look like they are suggesting that the "future" of being passenger friendly means
1. You will have to pay for any entertainment since it will all be on wi-fi.
2. You will have to bring your own device and your own headset on board since the wi-fi is only accessible that way.
I'd be especially pissed off it I had bought a international long-haul ticket for $9,000 and was still expected to pay for wi-fi and use my own device. But this would be a major service degradation in all classes, even worse than the current DirectTV service on the new, cramped 737's already are.
Or am I missing something?
1. You will have to pay for any entertainment since it will all be on wi-fi.
2. You will have to bring your own device and your own headset on board since the wi-fi is only accessible that way.
I'd be especially pissed off it I had bought a international long-haul ticket for $9,000 and was still expected to pay for wi-fi and use my own device. But this would be a major service degradation in all classes, even worse than the current DirectTV service on the new, cramped 737's already are.
Or am I missing something?
May 16, 2015, 1:02 pm
#70
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
I haven't seen anything indicating that AVOD would go away for international C/F and be replaced by a pay system. But I think that's definitely the future of domestic.
Did you see an ad that made you think international premier cabins?
Did you see an ad that made you think international premier cabins?
May 16, 2015, 1:11 pm
#72
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
May 16, 2015, 1:24 pm
#74
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
I think you are misinterpreting as others have mentioned.
Regarding a $9000 ticket is there any carrier that is giving free Wifi (not streaming content but web browsing).
The only complaint I have about no seat-back IFE in DOM F is if using anything bigger than a phone with the meal service it makes it kinda hard to finagle all of it in place...if they had the seat back holders like Qantas that would be ^ .
Regarding a $9000 ticket is there any carrier that is giving free Wifi (not streaming content but web browsing).
The only complaint I have about no seat-back IFE in DOM F is if using anything bigger than a phone with the meal service it makes it kinda hard to finagle all of it in place...if they had the seat back holders like Qantas that would be ^ .
Just wanted to give others additional and more complete information. ^