Consolidated "Channel 9 Availability" Discussion Thread [Merged]
Aug 27, 2023, 10:46 am
#331
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 209
8/25 UA933 FRA-IAD on a 772: Sat down, plugged in, tuned to Channel 9 half expecting the usual silence. But wait...was I hearing some faint chatter? Turned up the volume on the entertainment system and couldn't believe my luck. It was on gate to gate! So much fun to listen to going across Europe, especially because lots of flights were asking for course / elevation changes due to T-storms.
Channel 9 continues to be one of my favorite features of flying UA, and I seem to have the most success with the old 772's. Thank you, Captain!
Channel 9 continues to be one of my favorite features of flying UA, and I seem to have the most success with the old 772's. Thank you, Captain!
Sep 5, 2023, 12:49 pm
#332
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 294
Channel 9 on the 787s?
The United fleet site says "Not Yet" on Channel 9 for the 787s - does anyone know if this means we can expect C9 to be available at some point in the future? Given the new order, the 78 is going to be the default long haul bird in the future, so it will be great to have this on the dream-liner.
Sep 14, 2023, 10:32 am
#333
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Miami & Leon, MX
Programs: UA 1K, DL GOLD, IHG LIFE PLAT, BONVOY'ED GOLD
Posts: 552
Has anyone had any experience with Channel 9 on the retrofitted Airbus planes. I heard reports that its installed again, and working properly. But on my 2 flights I've done on them I forgot to ask if it could be activated.
Sep 14, 2023, 10:59 am
#335
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, IHG Silver, Hilton Silver, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite, Avis PC
Posts: 1,297
I was just on one and didn't even think to check!
Last edited by Say Vandelay; Sep 14, 2023 at 11:14 am
Sep 14, 2023, 11:15 am
#336
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Miami & Leon, MX
Programs: UA 1K, DL GOLD, IHG LIFE PLAT, BONVOY'ED GOLD
Posts: 552
When the MAX 8s came out, they came with Channel 9 installed, but an issue arose in which when turned on, would tap in to all cockpit conversations, so its currently disabled on all the MAXs, I assume its the same deal with the retrofitted 737s.
Sep 14, 2023, 12:45 pm
#337
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Midwest
Programs: AS, DL
Posts: 26
I was just on one two weeks ago and can happily report channel 9 was on and working from gate to gate. I made sure to thank the crew on the way out! A319 DEN-DSM.
Sep 14, 2023, 5:08 pm
#338
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Philadelphia, LAX, Paris
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, SPG/Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Lifetime HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 3,331
Sep 24, 2023, 9:58 pm
#339
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 695
Seems like some flight crews didn't get the memo. Listening to the approach briefing sure makes you feel like you're part of the cockpit.
Sep 24, 2023, 10:02 pm
#340
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,470
Dec 7, 2023, 4:11 pm
#342
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,607
12/7/2023 — UA884 IAD-FCO B764 — 
I asked one of the FAs who said he’d send a message up front through their group chat. The FA came back to me a short time later and said the FO was going to ask the Captain and he seemed uncertain…Lo and behold, I just checked and it’s actually on! I can’t remember the last time I heard Channel 9, so this makes me super happy.
I asked one of the FAs who said he’d send a message up front through their group chat. The FA came back to me a short time later and said the FO was going to ask the Captain and he seemed uncertain…Lo and behold, I just checked and it’s actually on! I can’t remember the last time I heard Channel 9, so this makes me super happy.
Dec 10, 2023, 12:48 pm
#343
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,607
12/10/2023 UA885 FCO-IAD B763 a great trip to Italy made even better having Channel 9 on both flights! I asked the Captain prior to departure and he mentioned how it’s not installed on all aircraft, etc, etc. I figured he was just trying to brush off not wanting to turn it on. As others have suggested, I turned up the IFE almost all the way and could hear it from departure until approximately 45 minutes later. Channel 9 returned about an hour ago (after we were already over far northern Maine).
Also, I noticed a ton of feedback on the 763 and 764 when listening. Have others experienced the same on other aircraft? It’s kind of like a high pitched whine.
a great trip to Italy made even better having Channel 9 on both flights! I asked the Captain prior to departure and he mentioned how it’s not installed on all aircraft, etc, etc. I figured he was just trying to brush off not wanting to turn it on. As others have suggested, I turned up the IFE almost all the way and could hear it from departure until approximately 45 minutes later. Channel 9 returned about an hour ago (after we were already over far northern Maine).Also, I noticed a ton of feedback on the 763 and 764 when listening. Have others experienced the same on other aircraft? It’s kind of like a high pitched whine.
Dec 10, 2023, 1:02 pm
#344
Join Date: May 2001
Location: IAD
Posts: 6,148
I plugged in to from the Flight Deck on a 7M8 last week and was pleasantly surprised to hear chatter.... then realized it was internal cockpit comms only.
I was quite entertained but there is no way UA wants that broadcasting to their customers.
I was quite entertained but there is no way UA wants that broadcasting to their customers.
Dec 10, 2023, 1:11 pm
#345
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,393
12/10/2023 UA885 FCO-IAD B763 a great trip to Italy made even better having Channel 9 on both flights! I asked the Captain prior to departure and he mentioned how it’s not installed on all aircraft, etc, etc. I figured he was just trying to brush off not wanting to turn it on. As others have suggested, I turned up the IFE almost all the way and could hear it from departure until approximately 45 minutes later. Channel 9 returned about an hour ago (after we were already over far northern Maine).
Also, I noticed a ton of feedback on the 763 and 764 when listening. Have others experienced the same on other aircraft? It’s kind of like a high pitched whine.
a great trip to Italy made even better having Channel 9 on both flights! I asked the Captain prior to departure and he mentioned how it’s not installed on all aircraft, etc, etc. I figured he was just trying to brush off not wanting to turn it on. As others have suggested, I turned up the IFE almost all the way and could hear it from departure until approximately 45 minutes later. Channel 9 returned about an hour ago (after we were already over far northern Maine).Also, I noticed a ton of feedback on the 763 and 764 when listening. Have others experienced the same on other aircraft? It’s kind of like a high pitched whine.