Free in-flight wifi?
Jul 9, 21, 8:25 am
#1
Original Poster
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Free in-flight wifi?
I'm flying today on a 739 and was pleasantly surprised to find free wifi. Is this a one-off, or did I miss the memo? I recall rumblings about this a year or two ago. No other plans were available. Download speed of 42 Mbps.
Jul 9, 21, 8:28 am
#2
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What route? I’ve seen it before on overwater routes where wi-fi is not available for most of the flight.
But UA will unveil free messaging next week. It may be related.
But UA will unveil free messaging next week. It may be related.
Jul 9, 21, 9:12 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 8,266
There was discussion a couple years ago that free wifi would be coming "soon" (ish).
UA Free WiFi Starting sometime in 2020???
That included some reports of what seemed to be one-off offerings of free in flight wifi.
UA Free WiFi Starting sometime in 2020???
That included some reports of what seemed to be one-off offerings of free in flight wifi.
Jul 9, 21, 9:20 am
#4
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Join Date: Oct 2004
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Originally Posted by MatthewLAX
What route? I’ve seen it before on overwater routes where wi-fi is not available for most of the flight.
But UA will unveil free messaging next week. It may be related.
But UA will unveil free messaging next week. It may be related.
Jul 9, 21, 2:36 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Delaware
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 1,205
Originally Posted by fumje
There was discussion a couple years ago that free wifi would be coming "soon" (ish).
UA Free WiFi Starting sometime in 2020???
That included some reports of what seemed to be one-off offerings of free in flight wifi.
UA Free WiFi Starting sometime in 2020???
That included some reports of what seemed to be one-off offerings of free in flight wifi.
Then COVID came.
Jul 9, 21, 3:15 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Originally Posted by LarryJ
I had not heard anything about this but wonder if it's testing to see how much bandwidth is used when internet is free?
Jul 9, 21, 3:54 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
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Posts: 3,241
Originally Posted by MatthewLAX
bingo.
Jul 9, 21, 5:04 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Chicago
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Posts: 711
Is UA Headed to Two Tier WiFi?
Can't help but notice that screen shot which OP shared showed "Basic" as "Free". While similar previous screens have also labeled UA's WiFi service as "Basic", I'm wondering if the transition to the new faster WiFi which was announced as coming with new aircraft (and eventually retrofiited to existing aircraft) will come in two flavors -- Basic for Free and Enhanced for a Fee (where streaming video and audio require Enhanced WiFi for a Fee).
Jul 9, 21, 6:21 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 8,266
Originally Posted by YRKInsider
Can't help but notice that screen shot which OP shared showed "Basic" as "Free". While similar previous screens have also labeled UA's WiFi service as "Basic", I'm wondering if the transition to the new faster WiFi which was announced as coming with new aircraft (and eventually retrofiited to existing aircraft) will come in two flavors -- Basic for Free and Enhanced for a Fee (where streaming video and audio require Enhanced WiFi for a Fee).
