Among the ”big three” US carriers, United is in a league of its own when it comes to technology. The carrier’s customer facing tech is exceptional, and it’s an area where the airline keeps trying to differentiate itself. Here’s the latest example of that.
Continue reading: New United App Features Make Connecting Flights Easier
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Couple years ago I was at the gate area at Narita waiting to board my United flight. But soon I realized I was seated in the middle of a IT team for United. About 20 nerds with their laptops open. They where working on a new boarding sequence. They had a little break and I started to talk to the nerd next to me. He said that they are really hands on and get into the field all the time instead of sitting in a office. Was very impressed.
I think they should also use the app for evil... like if they are using Connection Saver for you and you scan into a United Club, go ahead and depart.
They should have a question, "slow waller or fast,?" . Could have a question "Will you go directly to the gate, skipping the rest room?"
Well, they know what you ate so they may even know the potential of how long that bathroom stop will be, or at minimum its urgency.
On the same thought, I wonder if they'll force the use of location services to help travelers navigate, and if the app detects that you're not close and/or not moving fast, they go ahead and send the plane.
UA obviously has issues but their app is miles ahead - I've seen this in action and it's hugely helpful
Should that not be: Slow Waller or Fats? And, why did my spell corrector let waller in without a challenge? Please, my first AI need is a spell corrector that learns me.
Delta wishes it could collect half the data on customers which United will able to with so many users now allowing location services to use the app. More targeted offers and more data to/from partners (eg Spotify on board). This is a gold mine.
Credit where it's due to Delta: by requiring PM/DM to use app only (starting July) to select choice benefits they're dipping their toes in the pool.
What a great marketing thing.... they could have someone standing there at the top of the jetway with a cold towel and cup of water?
re: Slow or fast walkers.
I had the pleasure of sitting in some of the initial planning meetings when they talked about rolling this out (5 years ago). They initially were going to use geo-locating beacon data within the terminals through the app, and track you to guesstimate your arrival at the connecting gate based on your walking speed, and some other fancy AI stuff. However, at the time, (this might not be true anymore), they opted to keep it simple and just use an average walking time between gates, without all the sophistication of a Waze like arrival forecaster. The believe the agents also have this information and anticipate when you might show up. I think they determined that an average was good enough for what they were attempting to accomplish.
This does make sense. They have had directions to connecting gates and estimated times for quite awhile in the app as far as I have seen...
I have noticed they do seem to make estimate based on the perhaps longest possible route between two points. Taking IAD for an example, it always says to walk to and take the underground train. I usually beat the time by 30-50% of estimate by taking the mobile lounges across, even if I have to wait 6-7 minutes for one to leave, depending on which end of C/D I need to be in transit to/from A gates. I've probably helped a few people making connections from my arrival on A to like D20+ by telling them come with me on the mobile lounge versus going as the app tells them to go. But of course to make more real time predictions, like you mentioned, that goes into a level of integration and compatibility with other entities that just isn't feasible for the minimal good that could come of it.
I would call the upgrade major, not minor. The utility is absolutely great, as is the peace of.mond.associated with it.
Bravo UA!