Ever tried to book a flight or check in online, only to find the United Airlines website isn’t working? It’s a frustrating experience, especially when travel plans are on the line. Knowing why the United website might be down—and what you can do about it—can save you stress and time.
In this article, we’ll break down the common reasons for outages, how to check if the site is really down, and what steps you can take next.
Related Video
Is the United Airlines Website Down? Here’s What You Need to Know
When you need to book a flight, check your reservation, or manage your travel plans, a functioning airline website is crucial. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or planning a one-time trip, running into issues with the United Airlines website can disrupt your plans and cause frustration. If you’ve found yourself wondering, “Is the United website down?”—you’re not alone. Let’s break down everything you need to know about why this happens, how to check what’s going on, and what you can do about it.
Understanding United Airlines Website Outages
Common Reasons Websites Go Down
Like any major website, United Airlines’ online platform can experience technical difficulties. These can be caused by:
- Unexpected Traffic Spikes: Sudden surges in visitors, like during big sales or weather-related travel disruptions, may overwhelm servers.
- Scheduled Maintenance: Periodic updates and improvements are often made outside of peak hours, but can still catch users off guard.
- Technical Glitches: Software bugs, failed updates, or issues with third-party plugins might interrupt the site’s normal operation.
- Cybersecurity Threats: Occasionally, websites experience malicious attacks that force temporary shutdowns for security reasons.
- Internet Service Outages: Problems with regional internet providers or data centers can block access, even while the main website itself stays online.
It’s reassuring to know that outages are almost always temporary, and technical teams work quickly to restore service.
How to Check if United.com is Down
If you have trouble accessing united.com, follow these steps:
- Try Reloading or a Different Device
- Refresh the website.
-
Check on another computer, phone, or tablet to rule out local issues.
-
Clear Your Browser Cache
-
Old files in your browser can sometimes lead to loading errors. Clearing your cache can often fix these issues.
-
Use Online Outage Trackers
- Websites that monitor real-time outages can tell you if others are reporting problems too.
-
Look for consistent user reports across various tracking platforms for confirmation.
-
Check Social Media
-
Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook often have updates from both the airline and other travelers when large outages occur.
-
Try Mobile App or Alternate Sites
- Sometimes the United app works even if the main website is struggling.
-
Check if third-party travel booking sites are working with United flights.
-
Contact Customer Support
- If you’re still not sure, customer service agents can often confirm any known outages and provide solutions.
Key Aspects of a United Airlines Website Outage
How Outages Affect Travelers
When the United Airlines website is down or experiencing issues, travelers may face:
- Inability to book new flights
- Difficulty checking in for upcoming flights
- Trouble changing or cancelling existing reservations
- Lack of access to travel updates, flight status, and boarding passes
For business travelers and those on tight schedules, these disruptions can be particularly stressful.
What to Expect During an Outage
Not all outages are created equal. Here are some common scenarios:
- Partial Outages: Parts of the site, like the booking engine or check-in system, may work while others do not.
- Error Messages: You might see messages like “503 Service Unavailable,” “Connection Timed Out,” or generic error screens.
- Prolonged Loading: Sometimes, pages may never load, or buttons don’t respond.
- Unexpected Logouts: If you’re logged into your account, you might get logged out suddenly.
Practical Tips for Travelers When United.com is Down
Don’t panic! While waiting for the site to be restored, try these strategies:
1. Use the United Airlines Mobile App
- The app often runs on a slightly different system.
- You may still be able to check-in, view boarding passes, or manage your bookings.
2. Call Customer Support
- United’s customer service can help you make changes, check-in, or book flights directly.
- During major outages, expect longer wait times on hold.
3. Try Airport Kiosks
- If you’re at or near an airport, United’s self-service kiosks often allow check-in, printing boarding passes, and making booking adjustments.
4. Email Confirmation
- Your original booking email and confirmation code may help you check-in at the airport if digital systems fail.
5. Monitor Airline and Travel News
- Airlines usually update travelers if outages last more than a few minutes.
- Social channels and forums will rapidly share updates.
Benefits of Outage Awareness and Alternative Planning
Staying informed and having a plan can prevent headaches. Here’s why:
- Peace of Mind: You will know the problem isn’t your fault and can calmly pursue alternatives.
- Time Management: Directly seeking phone, app, or in-person options helps you avoid wasted time.
- Travel Flexibility: Awareness of possible backup methods helps you adapt to schedule changes or disruptions.
Challenges and Considerations
It’s normal to feel anxious or frustrated when you can’t access critical travel information. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
- High Call Volumes: Customer support waits may increase significantly during widespread website problems.
- Limited In-Person Support: At smaller airports or during off-hours, staff may be less available.
- Time-sensitive Tasks: If you need to check-in or change a booking close to your flight, act quickly and persistently.
Cost Tips: Avoiding Unexpected Fees During a Website Outage
Website outages may sometimes cause confusion and extra costs. Here’s how you can protect yourself:
- Know Fare Rules: If you need to change or cancel a flight but can’t do so online, ask about fee waivers due to site outages when speaking with an agent.
- Keep Payment Records: If you tried to book a flight and aren’t sure if payment went through, check your bank statements before re-attempting. Double-booking may incur extra charges.
- Request Receipts: Always ask for confirmation (via email or SMS) for any bookings or changes made over the phone or in person.
- Watch for Refunds: If you end up making duplicate transactions because of website glitches, ask about the process and timeline for refunds.
- Shipping and Delivery: Website issues may also impact your ability to pay for services like shipping checked bags online. If so, clarify at the desk to avoid any surprise airport costs.
Final Thoughts
Website outages—even on established airline sites like United.com—happen from time to time. The good news is that most outages are short-lived, and airlines prioritize restoring online tools quickly. By staying calm, knowing your alternatives, and utilizing other options like mobile apps, phone lines, and airport kiosks, you can usually get your travel plans back on track with minimal hassle.
Remember, you’re not alone. Many travelers face these disruptions. The best advice is to prepare ahead of time—save your confirmation numbers, keep the airline’s support number handy, and know a few alternate options just in case.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How can I tell if United.com is really down or if it’s just my device having issues?
Try accessing the website from another device or location (such as a smartphone using mobile data instead of Wi-Fi). If it works elsewhere, the issue is likely local to your device or network. If not, a broader outage is likely occurring.
2. What should I do if I can’t check in online because the United website isn’t working?
Use the United Airlines mobile app, call customer service, or go directly to an airport kiosk or desk. Airline staff can assist you with check-in and boarding if online methods are unavailable.
3. Does United refund or waive fees if their website outage causes me to miss a booking or change deadline?
United sometimes offers fee waivers or accommodates passengers affected by technical issues, but this is handled on a case-by-case basis. Always ask a customer service agent about relief if you’ve been affected by an outage.
4. Is the United Airlines mobile app always unaffected when the main website is down?
Not always. Sometimes, an outage impacts both the website and the app. However, in many cases, the app operates independently and may remain available even during partial web disruptions.
5. How can I stay updated about United.com outages and when they are resolved?
Monitor United’s official social media accounts, look out for real-time outage reports posted by other travelers, or use reputable outage tracking sites. Calling customer service can also provide updates on when services are expected to be restored.
Staying proactive, calm, and resourceful during a website outage helps ensure your travel plans stay as smooth as possible. Safe travels!