United Airlines is enhancing its iOS and Android mobile apps with new features, including estimated security wait times to help travelers determine the best time to arrive at the airport. This update addresses the issue of understaffed TSA checkpoints due to the partial government shutdown.
In the United mobile app’s “Travel” section, users can access security wait times for U.S. hub airports in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. The app provides estimated wait times for specific lanes such as standard security and TSA PreCheck in terminals serving United customers.
“We appreciate the professionalism of our TSA agents, and while most received back pay this week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security shutdown persists, and travelers seek information about security wait times at airports,” said Jason Birnbaum, United’s chief information officer, in a press release. “Our app is essential for customers’ travel needs, and this feature helps them plan their trip.”
The app also introduces updates for passengers with connecting flights, offering personalized, turn-by-turn directions to their next gate, with estimated walking times, real-time updates, tips for longer layovers, and alerts if United can delay a flight for tight connections.
United’s app includes automatic rebooking assistance, presenting travelers with rebooking options, baggage-tracking details, and meal and hotel vouchers, if eligible, in cases of flight delays or cancellations.
Additionally, the app integrates Apple’s “Share Item Location” feature for AirTag, enabling travelers to share their item’s location with United’s customer service if baggage is lost.
Users will receive text updates with real-time radar maps, showing how weather in one region can impact flights elsewhere.