United Airlines is just operating in a different league than any other US carrier when it comes to the pace at which it’s making improvements. That’s true on the tech front more than anywhere else, as United’s website and (in particular) app are just next level. Along those lines, United has introduced a cool new feature in its app, which avgeeks will certainly appreciate.
United Airlines app cool traveler flight stats
United’s app has been industry leading for a long time. We’re now at the point where app updates have gone from being about fixing things that are broken and making the travel journey easier, to being about just adding cool features that travelers love. It’s really a reflection of how much work United has put in.
Long story short, United has introduced a new app feature that shows your travel journey over the past couple of years, including the number of flights you’ve taken, the number of miles traveled, the flight time, the specific aircraft you’ve flown (down to the exact livery), etc.
Obviously no passenger actually needs this. But I think this is the perfect representation of how United is trying to create brand loyal customers and become a lifestyle brand. Now, I totally roll my eyes at any airline claiming it’s a lifestyle brand (Delta started this trend), but I do think there’s something to be said for features like this creating brand loyalty.
It’s not about this one feature in isolation, but instead, it’s about the overall feeling that you’re flying with an airline that’s really trying, where your business with that airline is repeatedly recognized. Obviously this new feature just comes down to good use of tech, but it still can’t help but make someone be impressed, and also think more favorably of the brand.
United is copying Flighty with this new feature
What’s noteworthy about this new app feature is that it’s almost a direct copy of the Flighty app, which lets you track the flights you’ve taken, and compiles that into some very cool visuals (along with other useful features). Not surprisingly, United’s version of this feature doesn’t include cumulative delays as part of the stats. 😉
Flighty is getting a bit sassy on social media about this new United app feature, pointing out that United hasn’t in fact acquired Flighty, but instead, has only acquired a copy machine. Hah.
What’s interesting is that earlier this year, United CEO Scott Kirby actually brought up in an interview how he wanted the airline to buy Flighty. He was asked about Flighty, and it was mentioned how United often gets inspiration from Flighty. Kirby responded as follows:
“I think we talk to them a lot. In fact, I told our team, I don’t know what they’ve done, I shouldn’t say this in public, but I told our team, ‘We should just go buy Flighty, we’ll keep running it as Flighty, but I just want smart people that aren’t sitting at headquarters that believe anything is possible. Don’t tell me why we can’t do it, but go buy Flighty, and just let those guys tell us what to do.’ They’re really good.”
So the copying is definitely still going on, but clearly the acquisition part hasn’t happened. At least not yet. 😉
Bottom line
United Airlines’ app has added a cool new “My flight journey” feature, which shows all kinds of cool stats about flights you’ve taken over the past couple of years. This looks mighty similar to what you’ll find on Flighty. That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as United’s CEO has in the past said how he even wants the airline to buy the app. United’s app is on a different level than the competition…
What do you make of this new United app feature?
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