United Mobile App Adds New Connection Information Features

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

Hand holding mobile phone showing an app to illustrate article on new features in United's app_evelynkanter — Photo: United Airlines

The new special section of the app 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 the airline is holding the plane for you.

Yes, United does that – last ski season, my first fight was delayed by weather and I had just ten minutes to make my connection in Chicago. I made it, and when I got to the plane, the gate attendant welcomed me by name and said United was holding the plane for me.

Thank you, United, also for delivering my luggage the next day because my skis and boots didn’t make the ten-minute connection. So the feature works for passengers, but for luggage only when it doesn’t hold up on-time arrival.

And that was before the new features exclusive to the United mobile app which expand on the airline’s ConnectionSaver technology.

United claims it’s an industry-leading, AI-powered tool that has saved more than 3.3 million customer connections since launching in 2019 – including one of mine.

United Airlines adds summer flights to popular desinations in US and Canada_evelynkanter — Photo: United Airlines

How ConnectionSaver Works

ConnectionSaver automatically identifies departing flights that can be held for connecting customers, without delaying the on-time arrival of customers already on board.

During a trial this spring, more than 350,000 customers used the new features, achieving a 98% success rate making their connection.

More than 20 million United customers have already booked connecting flights this summer and the new connection features should take some of the angst out.

Comfortable Connections: Travelers get countdown to boarding, gate-to-gate directions and personalized tips to navigate large airports or long layovers such as United Club location details.
Tight Connections: Travelers get 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 peace of mind. Except that when I’m running for a tight connection, I’m running, not stopping to look at my phone or running while reading and juggling my carry-on.
Missed Connections: You automatically receive personalized re-booking options to choose on a confirmed flight or join the standby list for earlier flights.

United will continue to improve the features, including:

Additional Languages: Currently available in English and Spanish, with plans to launch additional languages in the future.
Expanded Navigation Support: Passengers soon will be able to enable location services to show current location at the airport and find 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. Soon, the airline will add text messages to update customers with connecting flights in real time about their connecting flight status and other relevant details.

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, the app provides personalized rebooking options, baggage tracking details, and, when eligible, meal and hotel vouchers if your 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. It includes inflight entertainment experiences like streaming services, shopping, gaming and more. 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.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is an award-winning journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.