T-Mobile Customers Can Now Get Free WiFi Aboard United Flights

Ever since I first switched to T-Mobile, it seems that the “uncarrier” has continued to add new perks while my bill has remained mostly flat — maybe going up by a couple of dollars or so. In addition to partnering with more streaming services and even offering a free year of AAA, T-Mobile has also continually kept up to date with benefits for travelers. On that note, the company recently announced that customers will now enjoy complimentary WiFi when onboard select United flights.

As part of the company’s “Coverage Beyond” initiative, T-Mobile introduced a free in-flight WiFi feature aboard Delta, American, and Alaska Airlines. Now, United has joined the list, increasing the odds that customers will wind up on a flight that supports free coverage. According to the press release, this option will be available on “select domestic and short-haul international United flights.”

Even more specifically, it will be offered on United’s 737s, MAX8s, MAX9s, select 757-300s and select A319s with Wi-Fi supported by Viasat and Thales InFlyt Experience. However, T-Mobile states that they hope to add more WiFi partners soon, which would further expand this line-up.

It should be noted that, while this offer is available for the bulk of T-Mobile customers, it may not cover everyone. Plus, depending on what plan you have, the time of your free connection may be limited. Currently, those with a Magenta Max, Business Unlimited Ultimate, or equivalent Sprint plan can enjoy a complimentary connection for their entire flight (where available, of course). Meanwhile, those with Magenta, Business Unlimited Advanced, or equivalent Sprint plans can enjoy one hour of free connection on all of their applicable flights as well as redeem flight-long connections four times a year. In either case, these WiFi connections will support texting, browsing, emailing, and even streaming on your phone.

While I’m fairly loyal to Delta, I have been known to end up on United once in a while, so this update is definitely a win. That said, although I do enjoy having WiFi access on my phone while in the air, it’d undoubtedly be more useful if I could connect my laptop as well. I’m not exactly sure if this offer is compatible with such a plan (or perhaps some sort of tether could be involved?), but I’m guessing it’s not.

For most people, I’m guessing that this update won’t be the deciding factor in whether or not they become T-Mobile customers. However, for those who fly United regularly or who already have T-Mobile/Sprint, this is another positive development. And, to their credit, the company has had quite a few of those as of late, making me glad to have made the switch nearly four years ago now.

Author

Kyle Burbank

Kyle is a freelance writer and author whose first book, "The E-Ticket Life" is now available on Amazon. In addition to his weekly "Money at 30" column on Dyer News, he is also the editorial director and a writer for the Disney fan site LaughingPlace.com and the founder of Money@30.com.

Other Articles by Kyle Burbank

Travel Tuesday: Discovering American Airlines Web Specials

As I've admitted several times before, I find the whole "points and miles" game to be pretty intimidating at times. That's why I'm always excited to find something that I believe I can definitively state is a good deal — and is easy for me to understand. This happens to...

I Confirmed What May Be Starbucks Rewards' Best Deal

At the very end of last year, news broke that Starbucks was devaluing its Rewards program. For example, redeeming Stars for a latte would now cost you 200 Stars instead of 150 while redeeming for a bakery item would double from 50 Stars to 100. Naturally, like most, I was...

Bilt Mastercard Customers Can Now Earn Up to 5x on Lyft Rides

It feels as though, every few weeks, I find myself writing about Bilt again. In my defense, that's simply because the company continues to do interesting things. That brings us to this week when it was announced that Bilt and Lyft had entered into a partnership that will now see...