United Airlines Resolves Technical Glitch Offering Free Wi-Fi on Non-Starlink Flights

United Airlines reported that a technical glitch briefly allowed free in-flight Wi-Fi access on flights not equipped with Starlink technology. Passengers shared on Reddit last week that they could connect without payment on these flights, which use Viasat-powered systems.

The company resolved the issue by the end of Friday. As of April 2026, United's MileagePlus loyalty members can access free Wi-Fi on Starlink-equipped planes by logging into their accounts. On non-Starlink flights for U.S. domestic and short-haul international routes, MileagePlus members pay $8 and non-members pay $10 for Wi-Fi.

outlets and blogs reported the free access on non-Starlink planes based on passenger accounts. One Reddit user wrote, “Hopefully this means free Internet for everyone, similar to how the other guys do it,” referring to competitors Delta and American Airlines.

United made no official announcement about expanding free Wi-Fi at the time. United Airlines stated the free access occurred because passengers received the wrong pop-up prompt, similar to that on Starlink flights, instead of the payment request. In April 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration approved United's first Starlink-equipped aircraft.

United has begun installing Starlink on some regional jets.