How to tell if united.com is actually down

The United Airlines website (united.com) goes down occasionally for maintenance, updates, or technical problems. Before you assume the site is broken, try these steps: clear your browser cache, close and reopen your browser, try a different browser, or use your phone's data instead of WiFi. If none of that works, the site may genuinely be offline.

To confirm the site is down rather than just slow or broken on your device, visit a status-checking website like DownDetector or IsItDownRightNow and search for "united.com" or "United Airlines". These sites show real-time reports from other users experiencing the same problem. If hundreds of people report outages in the last hour, the website is down.

You can also check United's social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook) or call their customer service line at 1-800-864-8331 to ask whether they are aware of website problems. During major outages, United usually posts updates on social media within 30 minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Clear your browser cache and try a different browser before concluding the site is down, since connection problems on your device are more common than actual outages.
  • DownDetector and IsItDownRightNow show whether other users are reporting the same problem at the same time.
  • United's Twitter account and customer service phone line (1-800-864-8331) will confirm whether the website is offline.
  • During website outages, you can still book flights, check reservations, and manage your account through the United mobile app.

What to do while united.com is down

If the website is genuinely offline and you need to book a flight or check your reservation, the United mobile app usually works even when the website does not. read the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and log in with your MileagePlus number and password. The app has the same booking and reservation tools as the website.

You can also call United's main reservations line at 1-800-864-8331 to book a flight, check a reservation, or make changes to an existing ticket. Wait times are usually longer during website outages because more people call, but the line is staffed during business hours. If you are calling outside business hours, you can leave a callback request and a representative will call you back.

For urgent issues like a flight leaving within 24 hours, call the airport directly and ask to speak with a United gate agent. They can look up your reservation and make limited changes on the spot.

Common reasons the United website goes down

United performs scheduled maintenance on its website, usually late at night or early morning, to add new features or fix bugs. These outages are usually announced in advance on the United website or app, though the announcement may disappear once the site goes down. Scheduled maintenance typically lasts between 30 minutes and 4 hours.

Unscheduled outages happen when servers fail, traffic spikes unexpectedly (like during a major sale), or a software bug causes the site to crash. These are harder to predict and can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. During peak travel times like holidays or when United announces a major sale, the website sometimes slows to a crawl or becomes unreachable because too many people are trying to access it at once.

Cyber attacks and data breaches occasionally take websites offline while the company investigates and secures its systems. United would announce this publicly if it happened, and you would see news coverage.

How to check your flight status without the website

If you have a flight booked and the United website is down, you can check your flight status through the mobile app, by calling 1-800-864-8331, or by texting "UNITED" to 468-377-7526 (United's SMS service). The SMS service sends you flight status updates and gate information as your departure time approaches, and it works even if the website is offline.

You can also go to FlightAware.com or FlightRadar24.com and search for your flight by airline and flight number. These third-party sites track real-time flight data and show delays, cancellations, and gate changes. They do not require you to log in and work independently of United's systems.

Preventing problems during website outages

Check in for your flight 24 hours before departure through the app or by phone, not the website. This way, if the website goes down on the day of your flight, you are already checked in and have your boarding pass saved in the app. You can also request a paper boarding pass at the airport if you lose access to your digital one.

Save your confirmation number and MileagePlus number in your phone or email before your flight. If you need to contact United during an outage, you will need these numbers to look up your reservation over the phone. Write down the customer service phone number (1-800-864-8331) and keep it handy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my booking if the website is down?

No. Your booking is stored in United's database, not on the website itself. Even if united.com is offline for hours or days, your reservation remains active. You can still check in through the app or by phone, and you can still fly.

Can I get a refund if my flight is delayed because the website was down?

No. A website outage does not may have access to you to a refund or compensation. United is only required to refund or rebook you if they cancel your flight or cause a delay through their own operational failure (like a mechanical issue or crew shortage).

How long do website outages usually last?

Scheduled maintenance typically lasts 30 minutes to 4 hours. Unscheduled outages vary widely — some last only a few minutes, while others can last several hours. There is no standard timeline.

What if I need to change my flight and the website is down?

Call 1-800-864-8331 and a representative can change your flight over the phone. You may pay a change fee depending on your ticket type, but the representative can tell you the cost before making the change.

Does the United app go down when the website does?

Usually not. The app and website use different systems, so the app often works when the website is offline. Try the app first before calling customer service.