The Flying Together portal serves as the primary digital hub for tens of thousands of United Airlines employees, retirees, and authorized personnel. This internal intranet platform is the gateway to managing professional responsibilities, accessing personal benefits, and coordinating the highly valued travel perks associated with working for one of the world's largest airlines. For anyone associated with United, understanding the intricacies of this portal is essential for both daily operations and personal leisure planning.

Defining the Flying Together Ecosystem

Flying Together is not a public website. Unlike the main United.com site used by passengers to book flights or check-in, Flying Together is a secure, password-protected environment restricted to the United family. It acts as a centralized repository for every resource a staff member might need, from technical manuals for flight crews to payroll information for ground staff.

The portal is designed to streamline administrative tasks by integrating multiple legacy systems into a single user interface. Whether you are a newly hired flight attendant, a veteran pilot, or a retiree keeping in touch with the company, Flying Together is where your corporate identity resides.

Essential Prerequisites for Accessing the Portal

Accessing the Flying Together portal requires specific credentials and hardware configurations. Because the platform handles sensitive personal data—including Social Security numbers, bank details for direct deposit, and operational flight data—security is a top priority.

Required Credentials

To log in, individuals must use their unique United Employee ID (UID). This alphanumeric code is issued upon hiring and remains the primary identifier throughout the individual's tenure and retirement. In addition to the UID, a secure password is required. United frequently mandates password updates to maintain system integrity, and users are often required to set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) to verify their identity when accessing the portal from external networks.

Technical Requirements

The Flying Together portal is optimized for modern web browsers but has specific dependencies that can cause issues if not managed correctly.

  • JavaScript: The login sequence and several interactive tools within the portal rely heavily on JavaScript. If this is disabled in your browser settings, the login page may fail to load or get stuck in a refresh loop.
  • Cookies: The platform uses session cookies to maintain your authenticated state as you move between different sub-sites, such as the travel booking engine or the HR self-service area.
  • Single Sign-On (SSO): United utilizes an SSO architecture (often routing through signon.ual.com). This means once you log in to the main portal, you are automatically signed in to secondary systems like PeopleSoft or the Benefits Center without needing to re-enter your password.

Navigating the Core Features of Flying Together

Once authenticated, users are presented with a dashboard that organizes resources into several key categories. The layout is designed to prioritize the most frequently used tools based on the user's role.

Employee Travel and Pass Benefits

The most visited section of Flying Together is undoubtedly the travel area. United Airlines provides a robust "Pass Travel" program that allows employees and their eligible dependents to travel on a space-available basis.

  • Non-Revenue Standby Travel: This allows employees to fly for free or at a significantly reduced cost. Within the portal, the "Travel" tab provides access to the booking engine where employees can list themselves for flights.
  • Real-Time Seat Availability: Unlike public booking sites that only show "available" or "sold out," the Flying Together travel tool provides detailed views of the standby list, the number of open seats in each cabin (First, Business, Economy), and the number of other employees already listed for that flight.
  • Boarding Seniority: The portal manages the complex logic of who gets on the plane first. Seniority is typically determined by the hire date. The system automatically calculates your priority code (such as SA1P or SA3V) and displays your position on the standby list in real-time.
  • Dependent Management: Employees can use the portal to register eligible pass riders, including spouses, domestic partners, children, and parents. Managing "Buddy Passes"—one-time use passes for friends—is also handled here.

Human Resources and Payroll Services

Beyond travel, Flying Together is the administrative heart of employment. Through the "Employee Self-Service" (ESS) links, staff can manage their professional lives without needing to contact an HR representative for every query.

  • Pay Stubs and Tax Forms: Employees can view and download their earnings statements, manage tax withholdings (W-4), and access annual W-2 forms.
  • Benefits Enrollment: During the annual open enrollment period, Flying Together is the platform where employees select their health insurance plans, dental coverage, and vision care. It also provides links to 401(k) management and life insurance designations.
  • Personal Information Updates: If an employee moves or changes their phone number, they must update their record within the portal to ensure company communications and tax documents reach the correct address.

Scheduling and Operational Tools

For flight crews and frontline staff, Flying Together is a critical operational tool.

  • Roster and Shift Bidding: Pilots and flight attendants use the portal to view their monthly schedules, bid for specific routes, and request trip trades with colleagues.
  • Manuals and Training: The portal hosts digital versions of operational manuals, safety protocols, and mandatory training modules that must be completed to maintain certification.

How to Troubleshoot Flying Together Login Issues

Given the complexity of the internal systems, users occasionally encounter technical hurdles. Most issues can be resolved with a few standard troubleshooting steps.

Handling "Authentication Failed" Errors

If the system rejects your credentials, first verify that your UID is entered correctly. Remember that passwords are case-sensitive. If you have recently changed your password, ensure that your browser's "Auto-fill" feature isn't attempting to use the old, cached password.

Solving Redirect Loops and Blank Pages

A common complaint is getting stuck on a page that keeps refreshing or displays a white screen. This is almost always a browser-side issue.

  1. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies: Over time, corrupted cookies can interfere with the SSO handshake. Clearing your cache specifically for ual.com domains often fixes the loop.
  2. Enable JavaScript: Check your browser settings to ensure JavaScript is allowed. If you are using a "Private" or "Incognito" window, some browsers might block the scripts necessary for the login page to function.
  3. Try a Different Browser: If Google Chrome is failing, attempting a login via Microsoft Edge or Safari can help determine if the issue is browser-specific.

Mobile Access via mt.ual.com

For employees on the go, United offers a mobile-optimized version of the portal. While the main Flying Together site is accessible on mobile devices, the "mt.ual.com" gateway provides a more streamlined experience for quick tasks like checking flight loads or viewing a work schedule from a smartphone.

Special Access for United Airlines Retirees

United Airlines maintains a lifelong relationship with its retirees, granting them continued access to the Flying Together portal. Retirees use the platform primarily to manage their lifetime travel benefits and pension-related information.

The login process for retirees is identical to that of active employees, using their original UID. However, the dashboard for retirees is often simplified, removing the operational tools (like scheduling) while highlighting retiree-specific news and enrollment options for retiree medical plans. It is crucial for retirees to log in at least once every few months to ensure their account remains active and their contact information is current.

Security Precautions and Phishing Awareness

Because the Flying Together portal contains valuable personal and corporate information, it is a frequent target for phishing attacks. Bad actors may create fake login pages that look identical to the United sign-on screen in an attempt to steal UIDs and passwords.

To stay safe:

  • Check the URL: Always ensure you are on a "ual.com" domain. The legitimate portal address is flyingtogether.ual.com. Be wary of any URL that looks suspicious (e.g., flyingtogether-united-login.net).
  • Avoid Public Computers: Whenever possible, avoid logging into the portal on public kiosks or shared computers at hotels or internet cafes. If you must use a shared device, always use an incognito window and ensure you log out completely before closing the browser.
  • Never Share Credentials: United Airlines management and IT staff will never ask for your password via email or phone. If you receive a request for your login details, it is a scam.

Important Note for United Airlines Customers

It is important to clarify that Flying Together is not for passengers. If you are a customer looking to:

  • Book a commercial flight
  • Check your MileagePlus account balance
  • View flight status for a trip you purchased
  • Manage an existing reservation

You should visit the official United.com website or use the United mobile app available on the App Store or Google Play Store. Attempting to use the Flying Together portal as a customer will result in an "Access Denied" message, as you do not possess the required employee credentials.

Summary of the Flying Together Experience

The Flying Together portal is the backbone of the United Airlines internal community. By consolidating travel booking, HR management, and operational communications into a single, secure platform, United enables its workforce to stay informed and efficient. While the technical requirements for access are strict, they serve to protect the privacy and security of the thousands of individuals who keep the airline flying every day. Whether you are checking your pay stub or listing for a standby flight to Hawaii, Flying Together is the indispensable tool for the United family.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What should I do if I forget my Flying Together password?

If you are an active employee, you can use the automated password reset tool on the login page or contact the United IT Help Desk. Retirees may also use the self-service reset options if they have previously set up security questions.

Can my family members have their own Flying Together login?

No. Access to the portal is restricted to employees and retirees. Family members who are eligible for pass travel do not get their own logins; instead, the employee manages all travel bookings and rider registrations through their own account.

Why can't I see the standby list for a specific flight?

Detailed standby lists and seat loads are only visible after you have logged into the Flying Together travel section. If the information isn't appearing, ensure you have correctly entered the flight number and date in the "Traveler" or "eres" tool within the portal.

Does the Flying Together portal work on tablets?

Yes, the portal is accessible on tablets. For the best experience, use a modern browser like Safari or Chrome. Some employees prefer using the desktop version of the site on their tablets to access the full range of features not always present in the mobile view.

How often does the portal undergo maintenance?

United periodically performs system maintenance, usually during late-night hours (Central Time). During these windows, certain features like the travel booking engine or PeopleSoft may be temporarily unavailable. Maintenance schedules are typically posted on the portal home page in advance.

Can I access Flying Together if I am on a leave of absence?

Yes, most employees on an authorized leave of absence retain access to the Flying Together portal to monitor their benefits and receive company updates, although certain operational features like shift bidding may be restricted depending on the nature of the leave.