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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
User consensusAlternativesIs it worth it?
Better options than

United Airlines alternatives

United Airlines users often seek alternatives due to persistent app performance issues, including slowness and bugs during check-in and passport scanning. Many also express frustration with unexpected fees for bags and seat selection, leading them to look for airlines with more transparent pricing or travel agencies for broader booking options.

Why users look for alternatives to United Airlines

The alternatives

Southwest Airlines
4.8★ · 7,105,682 ratings · Free

Southwest Airlines is often praised for its user-friendly app and friendly, helpful staff, making travel management and tracking easy. However, some users dislike the new seating process and report issues with passport scanning and account creation.

Better for: Southwest Airlines suits travelers who prioritize a user-friendly app experience and appreciate friendly customer service R55R58R61R64. It may also appeal to those who value perks for frequent flyers, such as A-list preferred members who find the app excellent for managing travel and alerts R55.

Head-to-head: United Airlines vs Southwest Airlines
Fly Delta
4.8★ · 7,005,680 ratings · Free

Fly Delta provides excellent communication and accurate, fast flight information, including gate changes and updates, directly to your phone. While the app is generally seen as a wonderful user experience, some users report issues with login, the 'find flights' button not working, and a lack of dark mode or Concur functionality.

Better for: Fly Delta is better for travelers who value immediate, accurate flight updates and gate change notifications, as the app is highly effective at providing timely communication R66R72. It is also suitable for those who appreciate a generally smooth user interface for managing their travel R72.

Head-to-head: United Airlines vs Fly Delta
Expedia
4.8★ · 5,803,762 ratings · Free

Expedia is an app that allows users to find and book deals on hotels and flights, with many appreciating its ease of navigation and competitive prices. However, users report issues with customer service, difficulty obtaining refunds, and the app spinning while searching.

Better for: Expedia is better for users looking for good deals and an easy-to-navigate app for booking travel R83. It suits those who appreciate quick and friendly hotel check-ins when booked through the platform R80.

Head-to-head: United Airlines vs Expedia
Hotels.com
4.8★ · 2,261,520 ratings · Free

Hotels.com is an app primarily for booking hotels, with users often finding it reliable and easy to use. However, it is frequently criticized for being very slow, having fake or misleading rewards, and making it difficult to reach human customer service.

Better for: Hotels.com is suitable for travelers who consistently use the app for hotel bookings and find it generally reliable R97. It may appeal to those looking for a straightforward hotel booking experience, provided they are not concerned about app speed or needing to contact customer service R94R103R105.

Head-to-head: United Airlines vs Hotels.com
Booking.com
4.8★ · 2,039,539 ratings · Free

Booking.com is a widely used app for finding and booking hotels and other travel accommodations, often praised for its ease of use, good deals, and reliability. However, users report significant issues with double bookings, unhelpful customer service, and problems with car service bookings.

Better for: Booking.com is better for users who want an easy-to-use app to find and book hotel deals, especially those who value reliability and peace of mind when traveling with family R112R114R116. It is also appreciated by users who find its customer service helpful when it works well R110.

Head-to-head: United Airlines vs Booking.com
Stick with United Airlines if

You should stick with the United Airlines app if you appreciate features like consistent flight updates, gate-to-gate mapping, in-flight entertainment, and the ability to easily change seats up to the last minute . It is also a good choice if you find the self-check-in process easy and enjoy the ability to pick up where you left off on a reservation .

Evidence note: No alternatives had too-thin evidence.

Frequently asked

Why do users find the United Airlines app frustrating?
Users find the United Airlines app frustrating due to its slowness, frequent buffering, and general unreliability, often experiencing crashes and difficulty with essential functions like check-in and viewing flight status R1R4R25R31.
Does the United Airlines app have issues with check-in?
Yes, the United Airlines app has issues with check-in, including problems with passport photo scanning, being prompted for the same information multiple times, and difficulties entering or finding passport details R2R3R8R12.
Are there hidden fees when booking with United Airlines?
Users report unexpected and high fees with United Airlines, specifically for checked bags, carry-on bags, and seat selection, even for basic economy tickets R10R19R27R37.
How does United Airlines handle flight changes and delays?
United Airlines' handling of flight changes and delays can be problematic, with users reporting the app failing to process changes, difficulty getting assistance from airport agents, and no vouchers for long delays R7R13R47.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] United Airlines 2/5 · US slow: slowest app I’ve ever used. always buffering regardless of my cell service/wifi connection.
  2. [R4] United Airlines 2/5 · US Global Services: As of July of 2026, this app has become almost unusable on my iPhone. The majority of views no longer refresh, including flight status. I’m using 3rd party apps to view my United flight status. So many regressions in your code deployments. Ouch. I’ve dropped this app from 5 stars to 2 stars.
  3. [R25] United Airlines 1/5 · US App extremely buggy: Long time user and frequent flyer on United. The app no longer works for my wife or I. Check in is virtually impossible, and simple tasks like choosing seats often take many minutes of waiting if it works at all.
  4. [R31] United Airlines 2/5 · US Crashed constantly: Just trying to get home. Circle of death processing and then an error message.
  5. [R2] United Airlines 4/5 · US Review: When trying to set up acct, would not allow me to type in box was covered by drop down. When logging in, could not type and see. Royal pain
  6. [R3] United Airlines 3/5 · US Passport photo doesn’t match grid lines with camera: Mostly, the app is harmless. But, it took three times to take a photo of my passport, because the grid lines did not match the picture saved.
  7. [R8] United Airlines 4/5 · US Pretty good: There are still some bugs to work out. It asked for my passport info more than a week before the flight, but when I actually had them later I couldn’t navigate back to where I could enter it.
  8. [R12] United Airlines 3/5 · GB Could be better: I was prompted for the same info more than once. You should have hotel address searched an autocomplete when you enter the hotel name I had to restart check in when navigating away from the website
  9. [R10] United Airlines 1/5 · US Checking bags: I get a free checked bag for me and my husband and it keeps charging me $50 each.
  10. [R19] United Airlines 1/5 · US Carry-on: For as expensive as United flights are, not being allowed a carry-on is insane
  11. [R27] United Airlines 1/5 · US Really: So I need to provide a credit card in case your staff determines they need to check a bag for me or the system won’t let me check in? Next travel choice likely will be another airline.
  12. [R37] United Airlines 1/5 · US Outrageous fees: I will never fly united again, not only that I have to buy my plane ticket. Then I had to pay extra for the seats that I was sitting in then I had to pay extra for my carry-on bag extra for a check bag. All of these extra charges were absolutely ridiculous and completely unnecessary. On JetBlue not only are my seats free and my carry-on is free and one check bag is free, but the
  13. [R7] United Airlines 1/5 · US Awful: United has been the worse airline. Delay in Shreveport then Houston rerouted me to San Francisco with a 5 hour layover. No one would help me in the Houston airport that worked for United. No vouchers were give, no upgrade, just a waste of my time. I will NEVER fly United after this trip.
  14. [R13] United Airlines 1/5 · US App won’t process my flight change due to major delay: Had to wait on hold 30min, agent at the airport wouldn’t assist, only gave me a phone number since the app wouldn’t let me confirm my moved flight and wouldn’t help me with a hotel voucher since it’s such a late and long delay.
  15. [R47] United Airlines 1/5 · US Delays and over changes: I had two separate flights booked today to get to a certain destination at a certain time. I was sent a notification that one of my flights was being delayed causing me to miss the window for my later flight. I had to cancel the two flights. Book a totally new flight. I couldn’t use either credit from those flights costing me 300 additional dollars for rebooking. When r
  16. [R49] United Airlines 1/5 · US Hard to use: The app is really hard to navigate, I have trouble finding my boarding passes, seat numbers, etc. I also had 3/4 flights delayed on one trip, and one of them over 24 hours late. Very displeased with my united experience.
  17. [R55] Southwest Airlines 5/5 · US Love SW!!: My hubby and I fly SW all the time! To be fair, we’re A-list preferred so our perks are fantastic!! The app makes it super easy to manage and keep track of all our travel, alerts, and any changes
  18. [R58] Southwest Airlines 5/5 · US LOVE SWA: The app is easy and user friendly. Staff are always great, helpful and friendly!
  19. [R61] Southwest Airlines 5/5 · US Not A Flyer: I traveled back to the OC after moving home to Louiville for the first time in 4 years and as I am such a nervous passenger the staff from KY to ARZ was great very patient and accommodating, however the shorter flight from ARZ to CA the OC the staff had more of a Cali vibe and was not so friendly with the passengers as I was observing. I would like to give an extra thank you to the re
  20. [R64] Southwest Airlines 5/5 · US SW: Great service
  21. [R66] Fly Delta 5/5 · US Fantastic app. Get it: Do not screw this app up! Great communication from delta to your phone. I’m sure if they could carry you to the terminal the app would. Fast comms when you need to see your gate. Love this app!!!!
  22. [R72] Fly Delta 5/5 · US Such a wonderful user experience: This is simply a wonderful app. I recently experienced 3 flight delays due to thunderstorms across the east coast. The Delta app immediately sends me a gate change update via the mobile app and text message. It has the most accurate flight information, so I don’t have to read the possibly outdated flight boards at the airport. I love how easy it is to access board
  23. [R80] Expedia 5/5 · US Quick, Easy & Friendly Check-In: Arrived at the hotel and was quickly greeted by staff at the check in counter. She was great! Absolutely love receiving a drink token when arriving-hope more hotels follow this trend!
  24. [R83] Expedia 5/5 · US Best Deals: I love the ease of navigating the App.. always happy with the prices I pay.
  25. [R94] Hotels.com 5/5 · US Location: Hotel nice a very friendly check in, great great location. Music in the park is less than 10 minutes and very nice area.
  26. [R97] Hotels.com 5/5 · US Hotel.com: I always use this app and it never disappoints
  27. [R103] Hotels.com 5/5 · US Great hotel: Check in was super easy
  28. [R105] Hotels.com 5/5 · US So great!: I love this brand. Always clean and comfortable but the front desk staff really made things special. Full of joy, smiles and hospitality. People really make the difference and after an 8 hour drive it’s just what we needed.
  29. [R110] Booking.com 5/5 · US Excelente app: Me encanta mucho usar booking para mis reservas y el servicio al cliente tambien es muy bueno. Recomendado
  30. [R112] Booking.com 5/5 · US Easy bookings: Always easy to use and always find great deals on hotel stays
  31. [R114] Booking.com 5/5 · US Useful app to save time and display the best booking options: Good app. It finds the best place for you
  32. [R116] Booking.com 5/5 · US Great Opportunities: I don’t have to overthink anything about my stays. When I travel with my family. I need reassurance that they will never be left out in the cold or sleeping in a sketchy motel. Booking Dot Yeah!! It’s what sums up my piece of mind when it comes to reliability and comfort.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store