Travelbiz E-Zine
25
June
2025

United Connecting Customer App Features + Fourth of July Forecast and Trends

#Traveltradetogether

New features are exclusive to United app and include personalized, turn-by-turn directions to connecting gates with estimated walk times, real-time flight status updates, tips for longer layovers, and a heads up if United is able to hold the plane for those with an extra-tight connection.

Features are an extension of airline’s ConnectionSaver back-end technology and provide customers full visibility into connecting flight status.

During spring beta test phase, more than 350,000 customers used new features, achieving a 98% success rate in making their connection.

More than 20 million United customers have already booked connecting flights this summer.

United is ready for peak summer travel season with the official launch of new, personalized mobile app features that make catching connecting flights easier.

Customers with connecting flights at United’s U.S. hub airports can now access a special section of the app that includes a countdown to connecting flights, customized turn-by-turn directions to their connecting gate with estimated walk times, real-time flight status updates, tips for longer layovers, and notifications if United’s ConnectionSaver technology has been activated to hold the plane for them.

These features are exclusive to the United mobile app and expand on the airline’s ConnectionSaver technology – an industry-leading, AI-powered tool that has saved more than 3.3 million customer connections since launching in 2019. ConnectionSaver automatically identifies departing flights that can be held for connecting customers – without delaying the on-time arrival of the customers who have already boarded. Now, customers have full visibility into their connecting flights right on their phone screens.

United trialed these app features during a beta test period this spring, and during that time, more than 350,000 customers used the new features, achieving a 98% success rate making their connection.

“We know that giving people more information, in a transparent and easy-to-understand way, can help de-stress the connecting flight experience,” said David Kinzelman, United’s Chief Customer Officer. “Our award-winning mobile app is a game-changer during travel, and with these new features, our customers will have even more real-time details about their flight and as a result, have an even better experience flying United.”

United Economy

More than 20 million United customers have already booked connecting flights this summer. The new features are much more customer-facing and specify personalized details based on connection type, including:

  • Comfortable Connections: Travelers with comfortable connections are provided personalized status updates to make their connecting flights, including countdown to boarding, gate-to-gate directions and personalized tips to navigate large airports or long layovers such as United ClubSM location details.
  • Tight Connections: For travelers pressed on time during a connection, the suite of features provides key information to help them navigate to their connecting flight, including boarding time, walking time, gate number and more. Plus, they will get app notifications if their next flight is being held for them with ConnectionSaver, offering more transparency and peace of mind during their travel journey.
  • Missed Connections: If travel doesn’t go as planned, customers automatically receive personalized re-booking options to get them back on their way, giving them options to rebook on a confirmed flight or join the standby list for earlier flights if a seat becomes available.

United will continue to evolve and advance these features to bring even more functionality to customers, including:

  • Additional Languages: These features are currently available in English and Spanish, and the airline plans to launch additional languages in the future.
  • Expanded Navigation Support: Customers will soon be able to enable location services to show their current location at the airport and provide even more detailed, step-by-step directions, making it even easier to navigate through airports.
  • Text Message Updates: United currently notifies customers who opt-in to receive text messages about flight delays and updates customers with connecting flights only if they have a tight connection. In the months ahead, United will deploy text messages to update customers with connecting flights in real time about their connecting flight status and relevant details to make their flights. These more personalized text message updates will provide additional transparency into customer travel plans, reassuring them if they have a comfortable connection or providing tips to navigate a tight or missed connection.

United continues to lead the airline industry on implementing new technologies to improve the customer experience, including:

  • Automatic rebooking assistance: Rather than standing in line to speak with an agent or manually searching for alternatives, United’s self-service tools automatically provide travelers with personalized rebooking options, baggage tracking details, and, when eligible, meal and hotel vouchers if their flight is delayed or canceled.
  • Real-time weather delay updates: United texts real-time radar maps to help customers understand how inclement weather in one part of the country can impact a flight elsewhere. United is the first and only U.S. airline currently providing its customers these kinds of specific messages, and the airline is sending them with assistance from gen AI tools.
  • Industry-leading connectivity in the sky: United started rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi service, the world’s fastest, most reliable connectivity in the sky, for free to MileagePlus® members, and it includes game-changing inflight entertainment experiences like streaming services, shopping, gaming and more. United two-cabin regional aircraft will be outfitted with Starlink by end of year, and the first United mainline aircraft will be outfitted with Starlink by end of year.
  • Bag tracking enhancements: United integrated Apple’s Share Item Location for AirTag, so customers everywhere who travel with an AirTag or Find My network accessory can seamlessly share the accessory location with United’s customer service team to help locate their luggage in the event that it is mishandled.

For more information, visit united.com.

Subscribe to our E-Zine

    More

    from latest edition

    USA Summer Soiree 2025 in Dublin’s Shelbourne
    15th July 2025

    USA Summer Soiree 2025 in Dublin’s Shelbourne

    Another super successful soiree organised by Michael Collins and his TravelMedia.ie team was held in Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel on July 10th. Oh what a night! The reception rooms bubbled with cha...

    Read more
    Exclusive Travel Agents Competition, Win a Holiday to Maldives!
    15th July 2025

    Exclusive Travel Agents Competition, Win a Holiday to Maldives!

    Exclusive Travel Agent Competition with Classic Resorts. WIN a Dream Holiday to the Maldives! Travelbiz brings you another amazing trade only competition!!!

    Read more
    We have our First WINNER! Congratulations Michelle Lyons from Fahy Travel!!
    15th July 2025

    We have our First WINNER! Congratulations Michelle Lyons from Fahy Travel!!

    Our first Winner is Michelle Lyons from Fahy Travel in Galway!
    Travelbiz is giving YOU the chance to join Discover Travel & Emirates on an unforgettable Fam Trip to Thailand this September...

    Read more
    Star Of The Seas Officially Joins Royal Caribbean as the Next Iconic Vacation
    15th July 2025

    Star Of The Seas Officially Joins Royal Caribbean as the Next Iconic Vacation

    Royal Caribbean kicked off the countdown to a new era of family vacations, officially welcoming Star of the Seas into the family. After nearly two years of construction at the Meyer Turku shipya...

    Read more
    Etihad Announces Magnificent Seven New Destinations
    15th July 2025

    Etihad Announces Magnificent Seven New Destinations

    Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced seven additional new destinations to further expand its network as part of its ongoing strategy to bring more poin...

    Read more
    Etihad Reports June 2025 Traffic Statistics
    14th July 2025

    Etihad Reports June 2025 Traffic Statistics

    Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has released its latest traffic statistics for June 2025, reporting continued strong expansion and high customer demand.
    E...

    Read more