Guessing Game is Over: First-Of-Its-Kind App from Major US Airline Tells You Estimated TSA Wait Times

United Airlines' mobile app, rewarded with prestigious titles like the "Best Airline App" (The Business Traveler North America, 2023) and "Best Travel App" (People's Voice's Webby Award, 2021), has undergone an important upgrade. 

Starting April 1, 2026, the app includes estimated Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security wait times, based on collected data. This is a "first-of-its-kind offering from a major US airline", as described by the company.

The newly rolled out pilot program will offer regular wait time updates during the day, sending travelers "timely information on airport security lines and helping them plan their travel with confidence."

Which Airports Will the App Cover?

The Travel section of the app will display security wait times for United's US hub airports in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.

The airline has announced that it will offer estimated wait times for specific lanes, covering both standard security as well as TSA PreCheck. The new feature is rolling out today to United mobile app users traveling through all of the airline's U.S. hub airports.

Jason Birnbaum, United's Chief Information Officer: "We appreciate the work and professionalism of our TSA agents, and while most began receiving back pay earlier this week, the US Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues and people want to stay informed about expected security wait times at our airports."

"Our customers rely on our mobile app for all their travel needs, and this new feature lets them know what to expect and better plan their trip."

Other features included in the app:

• Day-of travel features, including Virtual Gate, package-delivery-style bag tracker, United Club, "closest and best" feature 
• Personalized connection to simplify catching flights, with features including turn-by-turn directions to connecting gates with estimated walk times, flight status updates in real-time, and advice for a longer layover. Highlight: the app will let you know if the airline can hold your plane if you have a particularly tight connection.
• Bag tracking improvements, including Apple's Share Item Location for AirTag, to help locate lost luggage.
• Automatic rebooking assistance with self-service tools automatically provides personalized rebooking options, baggage tracking details, and even meal and hotel vouchers in case of delayed or canceled flights. 
• Weather updates: The company will use the app to text passengers real-time radar maps to help passengers understand the way inclement weather in one part of the country can influence a flight somewhere else. United is the pioneering US airline that currently provides these types of messages via gen AI tools.