Photo: UNITED United AIrlines introduces upgrades to its mobile phone app.
The list includes a virtual gate that displays boarding groups and the progress of the boarding process in real time, a recommendation tool for United Club lounges, and an advanced baggage tracking system similar to the ones used by delivery services.
The virtual gate allows passengers to track their boarding progress with a progress bar, eliminating the need to wait in the boarding gate area. Meanwhile, the new “Closest and Best” tool for United Club lounges recommends the most suitable lounge based on proximity to the gate and current occupancy. Occupancy data will initially be displayed at Chicago Airport, with additional destinations to be added in 2026 .
The baggage tracking system has been upgraded to show the location of bags in real time along the entire flight route. In addition, the app provides personalized updates for passengers, including instructions for flying with strollers or wheelchairs, reminders of required travel documents, biometric boarding options, and information upon arrival at the destination such as local weather and connection to shuttle services.
United Airlines Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner taking off. Photo: Anthony HershkoUnited says the app uses artificial intelligence-based navigation tools that identify which features are relevant to each passenger and present personalized content throughout the journey. The upgrades are being rolled out ahead of a particularly busy winter season, when the company expects to fly more than 10 million passengers.
According to the company's data, more than 84% of United passengers are already using the app on the day of their flights. Plus, the app scored high levels of satisfaction during the pilot period for the new upgrades.