How to tell if United.com is actually down

United.com goes down occasionally, but the problem is usually on your end—your internet connection, your browser, or your device—not United's servers. Before you assume the site is broken, try these steps in order: refresh the page, clear your browser's cache and cookies, try a different browser, and try a different device on the same wifi. If none of that works, try the same page on your phone using mobile data instead of wifi.

If the site still will not load, check a status-monitoring site like DownDetector or IsItDownRightNow. These sites collect reports from users across the country in real time. If hundreds of people are reporting the same problem at the same moment, United's site is genuinely down. If only a handful are reporting it, the problem is almost certainly yours.

You can also check United's official social media accounts—Twitter (@united) and Facebook—where the airline posts outage notices. United also maintains a status page at status.united.com that shows whether their booking system, check-in system, and other tools are working.

Key Takeaways

  • Most "down" problems are your browser cache, your internet connection, or your device, not United's servers—try refreshing, clearing cache, and switching browsers first.
  • DownDetector and IsItDownRightNow show you in seconds whether hundreds of other people are having the same problem at the same time.
  • United posts outage notices on Twitter (@united) and Facebook, and maintains a real-time status page at status.united.com.
  • If you need to book or change a flight while the website is down, call United's phone line at 1-800-864-8331 to speak with an agent.
  • Mobile app outages are usually separate from website outages—if the website is down but the app works, use the app instead.

What to do if you need to book or change a flight right now

If United.com is down and you need to book a flight or change an existing reservation, call United's main reservations line at 1-800-864-8331. An agent can book, change, or cancel flights over the phone. Wait times are usually longer during outages, so be prepared to hold.

If you already have a reservation and only need to check in, try the United mobile app instead—app outages are usually separate from website outages. You can also check in at the airport ticket counter or gate, though this takes longer.

Why United.com goes down and how long it usually lasts

United's website experiences outages for a few common reasons: scheduled maintenance (usually announced in advance), unexpected server problems, or traffic spikes during major weather events or system failures. Scheduled maintenance typically happens late at night or early morning and lasts 30 minutes to a few hours. Unscheduled outages vary widely—some last 15 minutes, others several hours.

During major events like hurricanes, winter storms, or system-wide failures, the site can stay down for hours because the volume of users trying to access it at once overwhelms the servers. In those cases, the phone line is usually slower too, but agents can still help you.

The difference between a website outage and a flight delay

A down website does not mean flights are delayed or cancelled—those are separate problems. United.com can be working fine while flights are delayed due to weather, mechanical issues, or air traffic control. Conversely, the website can be down while all flights are running on time. If you are trying to find out whether your specific flight is delayed, call 1-800-864-8331 or check the United app, which sometimes works even when the main website is down.

If you arrived at this page from a flight delay search, the delay information you need is separate from whether the booking website is working. The airline's phone line can tell you your flight status even if you cannot reach the website.

How to stay updated while you wait for the site to come back

Follow United's Twitter account (@united) and turn on notifications so you see outage updates as soon as they post them. United also sends email notifications to customers with active reservations if there are major system problems affecting bookings or check-in.

If you are waiting to book a flight and the site is down, check back every 15 to 30 minutes. Most outages resolve within a couple of hours. If it has been down longer than that, call the phone line—agents may be able to book your flight even if the website is still recovering.

What to do if the site keeps crashing when you try to book

If United.com loads but crashes or freezes when you try to complete a booking, the problem is usually that too many people are trying to book at once—not a problem with your device. Try again during off-peak hours: early morning (before 6 a.m.), late evening (after 10 p.m.), or weekday afternoons. These times have lighter traffic.

If the site keeps crashing even during off-peak hours, try the mobile app instead. The app uses a different system and sometimes handles traffic better than the website. If both fail, call 1-800-864-8331 and book over the phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if it's my internet or United's website?

Try loading a different website—Google, Amazon, or your bank. If those load fine, your internet is working and the problem is United's site or your browser. If nothing loads, restart your router and try again. If still nothing loads, call your internet provider.

Can I check in for my flight if the website is down?

Yes. Use the United mobile app if it is working, check in at the airport ticket counter, or check in at the gate. You can also call 1-800-864-8331 and ask an agent to check you in over the phone, though this is slower.

Will United refund me if the website outage makes me miss my flight?

United's policy on this varies. If the outage was on United's side and you missed your flight because you could not book or check in, contact United's customer service to explain what happened. They may rebook you on the next available flight at no charge, but this is not may provide. Document the outage with screenshots from DownDetector or United's status page.

Is the United app down too when the website is down?

Not always. The app and website use different servers, so one can be down while the other works. If the website is down, try the app. If the app is down, try the website. If both are down, call 1-800-864-8331.

How often does United.com go down?

Unscheduled outages happen a few times a year and usually last under an hour. Scheduled maintenance happens less often and is announced in advance. Most of the time, if you think the site is down, the problem is your browser or connection, not United's servers.