The introduction of free inflight messaging is great for customers.
United has free messaging.
United Airlines is rolling out free inflight messaging. Travelers can connect to United's inflight wi-fi network on select aircraft, and then they can use any of the three messaging services for free.
Facebook Messenger.
It's possible to use the iMessage service.
It's a messaging service.
You won't be able to send pictures or other files if you only send texts and emojis.
The new inflight messaging feature will be rolled out gradually. United has inflight messaging.
All A320 and A319 aircraft.
On all Boeing aircraft.
All 757-200s by March 2022.
On all 757s.
All 767s by March 2022, on select ones.
On all of them.
All 787-9s will be available by June 2022, on select 787-9s.
On all of them.
On all of them.
On all CRJ-550s.
On all CRJ-700s.
All E170/E175s by January 2022.
CRJ-200 and E145 planes don't have wi-fi, so inflight messaging won't be available.
Inflight messaging is now offered by United.
How does this compare to other airlines?
United Airlines is playing catch-up rather than leading the way.
Delta offers free messaging through the same three services, and the airline is working towards introducing free wi-fi across the board.
Alaska offers free messaging through three services.
There are no restrictions on the free high speed wi-fi offered by JetBlue.
American briefly trialed free messaging in late 2020.
United is catching up with Alaska and Delta, but the airline is beating American. The airline doesn't have high speed wi-fi across the board. I think the best thing to do is check out the Viasat wi-fi on most planes, because American doesn't offer free messaging.
There is no caps on the free high speed wi-fi.
The bottom line.
As of today, United Airlines is offering free inflight messaging. Most aircraft now have this feature, and all remaining aircraft should have it by June 2022. It is great to see United roll out this, as free messaging is always helpful in passing time on a flight.
What do you think about United introducing free inflight messaging?
Ben is the founder of OMAAT.
