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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Alaska Hawaiian vs United Airlines

Alaska Hawaiian 4.8★ · Free to download 40
Winner United Airlines
United Airlines 4.8★ · Free to download 65

While United Airlines' app has some usability issues, Alaska Hawaiian's app is currently plagued by critical login failures, making United the more reliable choice for essential travel functions.

Full reviews: Alaska Hawaiian · United Airlines

Alaska Hawaiian's app is facing significant login and stability problems, especially after a recent update and merger, rendering it unusable for many users. United Airlines' app, while not without its own bugs and navigation challenges, generally allows users to complete core tasks like booking, check-in, and accessing boarding passes.

Head to head

Login and Stability edge: United AirlinesR1R3R4R7
Alaska Hawaiian Many users report being unable to log in, with the app freezing, showing blank screens, or failing to load the login page, especially after a recent update and the merger with Hawaiian Airlines R1R3R4R7. Some users have tried reinstalling the app or adjusting phone settings without success R1R10.
United Airlines United Airlines users also experience login difficulties, with the app rejecting credentials or password reset links not working . The app is described as slow, buffering frequently, and crashing for some R61R100. However, these issues appear less widespread and critical than those reported for Alaska Hawaiian.
Ease of Use and Navigation tieR3R6R11R12
Alaska Hawaiian While some users find the Alaska Hawaiian app quick and easy for booking and check-in R11, others describe it as inconsistent, difficult to navigate, and 'busier' or 'harder to use' since the merger R18. There are complaints about having to continuously re-sign in R3R6 and limited flight information until check-in R12.
United Airlines United Airlines' app receives mixed reviews for ease of use. Many praise it as easy, intuitive, and simple for check-in and navigation . However, a significant number of users find it complicated, not user-friendly, and difficult to find information like boarding passes or bag tracking .
Core Features (Booking, Check-in, Boarding Pass) edge: United AirlinesR1R10R11R15
Alaska Hawaiian When the Alaska Hawaiian app works, users appreciate its ability to look up flights, book, check-in, and pre-order meals R11. However, issues with login directly impede access to these core features R1R10. Some note problems with TSA info not appearing on boarding passes R15 and Apple Wallet integration .
United Airlines United Airlines' app is generally effective for booking, check-in, and accessing boarding passes . Users can pick up reservations, use miles, and change seats . However, some report issues with check-in processes being confusing or not working days before a flight , and problems with passport scanning .
Customer Service and Support edge: Alaska HawaiianR5R35R46R48
Alaska Hawaiian Alaska Hawaiian receives high praise for its customer service, with agents being helpful, kind, patient, and responsive via text or phone for cancellations, rebooking, and last-minute changes R5R35R46R48.
United Airlines United Airlines also has positive mentions for customer service, with users appreciating friendly and professional staff who assist with cancellations and rebooking . However, some users report difficulty getting help from airport agents or via phone when the app fails .
Reliability and Performance edge: United AirlinesR1R3R15R18
Alaska Hawaiian The Alaska Hawaiian app is frequently described as unreliable, buggy, slow, and prone to freezing or crashing R3R15. Many issues are attributed to recent updates and the merger R1R3R18.
United Airlines United Airlines' app is also criticized for being slow, buffering, and crashing R61R100. Some users report that views don't refresh and flight status updates are unreliable R64R66. However, other users describe it as reliable and consistent .
Ancillary Features and Information edge: United AirlinesR9R11R30R50
Alaska Hawaiian Alaska Hawaiian offers free WiFi R50 and allows pre-ordering in-flight meals R11. Some users desire better integration for flight recognition from check-in reminders R9 and automatic population of booked flights into profiles R30. There are complaints about third-party passport verification (Jumio) being frustrating .
United Airlines United Airlines' app provides consistent flight info updates, gate-to-gate mapping, walking distance info, and in-flight entertainment . Users appreciate the ability to use miles for price reduction . However, there are complaints about hidden bag tracking , unclear bag check options , and issues with adding frequent flyer numbers . Some users are frustrated by sales pitches during check-in and extra fees for seats or bags .
Pick Alaska Hawaiian if

Pick Alaska Hawaiian if you prioritize excellent customer service and prefer an airline that offers free WiFi, assuming you can bypass the current app login issues R5R35R46R48.

Pick United Airlines if

Pick United Airlines if you need a more reliable app for core travel functions like booking, check-in, and accessing flight information, despite some reported bugs and navigation challenges .

Evidence note: The evidence for Alaska Hawaiian is heavily skewed towards recent negative reviews concerning login and stability issues, which significantly impact the app's usability despite positive lifetime ratings. United Airlines has a larger volume of reviews, with a mix of positive and negative feedback across various app functions.

Frequently asked

Is the Alaska Hawaiian app currently working for logging in?
No, many users report that the Alaska Hawaiian app is currently unusable for logging in, with issues like freezing, blank screens, and failed login attempts, especially after a recent update and merger R1R3R4R7.
Are there issues with United Airlines' app performance?
Yes, some United Airlines users report the app can be slow, buffer frequently, crash, and have issues with screens not refreshing or flight status updates being unreliable R61R64R66R100.
Which app has better customer service mentions?
Alaska Hawaiian receives slightly stronger and more consistent praise for its customer service, with users highlighting helpful, kind, and responsive agents via text or phone for various travel needs R5R35R46R48.

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] Alaska Hawaiian 1/5 · US New Update: The new update makes the app completely unusable. I am unable to log into my account. There is a requirement to open a separate screen to log in that fails to load. There is no way to stay logged in on my device. I have restarted the app and my phone with no improvement.
  2. [R3] Alaska Hawaiian 3/5 · US Better Before: Before the combination with Hawaii, the app used to work better. I continuously get signed out and then the app just freezes. I have to uninstall and reinstall to get it to log back in… I am not sure what the connection is or if it’s just coincidental, but I did not have to do this before.
  3. [R4] Alaska Hawaiian 1/5 · US Fix the sign in: Signing in is impossible
  4. [R7] Alaska Hawaiian 1/5 · US Unable to Log in: Unable to log in and even use the app. A blank screen shows after signing in.
  5. [R6] Alaska Hawaiian 3/5 · US Sign-in experience is awful: I like that the app is getting more robust but it takes too long to sign in.
  6. [R11] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US Quick and Easy to use.: The app makes it quick and easy to look up flights, book, check-in, pre-order in flight meals all on the go. If you fly Alaska Air Group, highly recommend using the app.
  7. [R12] Alaska Hawaiian 3/5 · US Limited: The app will not give any important information about the flight until check-in time. Delta app is much more informative and you can fill in all the documentation on the thier app. Where as the Hawaiian app makes you go to a whole other site for your documentation submission.
  8. [R10] Alaska Hawaiian 1/5 · US Can’t login: App keeps locking up on the login screen. I e tried deleting and reinstalling but still doesn’t work. Pretty useless if I cant login.
  9. [R15] Alaska Hawaiian 3/5 · US Love Alaska Air BUT App Slow: I love flying Alaskan Air but the App is slow PLUS my husband’s TSA is showing up as inputted but not showing up on boarding pass.
  10. [R5] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US Customer service: Customer service helped us a ton when we had some health issues, walked us through how to cancel, use the wallet, and rebook. Very grateful and thankful.
  11. [R35] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US Excellent service: So far my experience with Alaska Airlines has been excellent. Anytime I need a question answered all I had to do with text them and it was answer in minutes.
  12. [R46] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US Fantastic service!: Jennalynn from customer service thru the phone is a very kind, patient and helpful agent! I love Alaska Hawaiian Airlines! Will always be a loyal customer!
  13. [R48] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US Love Alaska: Always taken care of. Love the text option
  14. [R18] Alaska Hawaiian 3/5 · US New stuff: This whole merger might take some getting used to for sure. I’ve been a loyal AkAir flyer for a long time and this is the way it is I guess. It’s not the same. Not sure if it’s good or bad at this time.
  15. [R9] Alaska Hawaiian 3/5 · US Check in reminder: Currently, your check in reminder email has a link that takes me to your app but asks for my confirmation code. Isn’t it possible for the software to recognize my flight based on the reminder?
  16. [R30] Alaska Hawaiian 3/5 · US Make things easier: Continue working on the web browser so that it is streamline and loads quickly. Whenever a flight is booked by any one anywhere it should immediately populate into the person‘s profile if there ATMOS number was used.
  17. [R50] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US Free WiFi: Nice to be able to use your device with free WiFi! Thank you Starlink, T-Mobile and Alaska airlines
  18. [R61] United Airlines 2/5 · US slow: slowest app I’ve ever used. always buffering regardless of my cell service/wifi connection.
  19. [R64] 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.
  20. [R66] United Airlines 3/5 · US Doesn’t keep up updates and can’t close it: Changes doesn’t keep up a lot of the times. After landing couldn’t close the reminders so it keeps using data and battery when I no longer need it .
  21. [R100] United Airlines 2/5 · US Crashed constantly: Just trying to get home. Circle of death processing and then an error message.

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