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Home  >  United Airlines  >  United Airlines Trials Free Messaging Onboard
United Airlines

United Airlines Trials Free Messaging Onboard

Matthew Klint Posted onApril 7, 2021April 7, 2021 8 Comments

United Airlines will trial free messaging onboard a number of popular apps on select Boeing 737 aircraft next week.

United Airlines Will Offer Free Messaging Onboard Select Aircraft

From April 12 – 18, 2021 United will test a new technology that allows passengers to send IP-based messaging for free onboard more than 120 737-900ER aircraft (coded the 37K) without purchasing Wi-Fi.

The following apps will be included:

  • iMessage
  • Facebook Messenger
  • WhatsApp
  • WeChat

It does not include SMS or sending large amounts of data like photos, video, or attachments.

How Do You Obtain Free Messaging On United?

Customers flying on a 737-900ER (37K) aircraft can access free messaging by following these instructions:

  • Put the phone in airplane mode
  • Connect to United Wi-Fi
  • Go to Unitedwifi.com
  • Click on the “Free Messaging” option

Will It Go Systemwide?

A United spokesperson tells me that whether this trials expands to more aircraft or on a permanent basis will depend upon customer feedback from next week. I cannot imagine any passenger complaining about free messaging, so be sure to let United know (via post-flight survey) if you like it and hopefully we will soon see it onboard all United flights.

Rather than a unified system, United continues to have a patchwork of internet providers. The technology to allow complimentary messaging is theoretically possible across all service providers, but it is not as simple a process as flipping a switch.

In reality, messaging has already been free on many 737-900. Perhaps unintended, but I’ve successfully been able to message or check comments on my WordPress app and blog numbers on my Google Analytics app without paying for wifi.

CONCLUSION

American Airlines and Delta Air Lines already offer free messaging, so United is just catching up here. Still, it’s a good first step and a great and relatively easy way to keep passengers happy and occupied onboard.

Will you look forward to using free messaging service onboard United?

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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8 Comments

  1. Jack Reply
    April 7, 2021 at 7:19 pm

    I’m surprised they can even support this (even-though its a small amount of data). United has the worst WiFi out of all the carriers. It was one of the reasons I moved to other airlines (and the loyalty devaluations).

  2. Max Reply
    April 7, 2021 at 7:36 pm

    Often, when I connect to WiFi and don’t buy a plan, I still get notifications from the gmail app (this has worked on 753s and 788s but not 739s 789s 772s or 77Ws)

  3. ptahcha Reply
    April 7, 2021 at 7:39 pm

    Free massaging onboard would be better.

  4. Tom Reply
    April 7, 2021 at 8:04 pm

    SWA has it too. You can actually send photos on theirs albeit slowly but nonetheless it works. Sent a photo to family in Germany on WhatsApp midflight SNA-DEN two weeks ago.

  5. Andy K Reply
    April 8, 2021 at 12:17 am

    Remember when VirginAmerica had the seat to seat messaging? You should have seen the commercials. This was before #metoo put an end to innocent fun between the sexes.

  6. K Reply
    April 8, 2021 at 7:03 am

    I do remember that. Wow. Amazing how much the PC crowd has destroyed laughter and enjoyment in such a short time.

  7. KIP Reply
    April 8, 2021 at 2:04 pm

    Small trick from a United employee. There is already a glitch on most 737 in the fleet to already allow free messaging. I am slightly disappointed that this is a test and not just a program. A 6 day test on one subfleet will not yield any new knowledge when, like you said, no one will complain about free messaging and when other airlines are already fleetwide for many years.

  8. Shawn Reply
    April 9, 2021 at 2:41 pm

    Yeah, I have found in the past that I have occasionally been able to send iMessages during United flights by simply connecting to the WiFi but not paying for the full service. I just presumed that it was a glitch and never connected it to the aircraft type.

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