United leverages iPhone feature to provide passengers real-time access to flight details on their lock screen
How many times have you been running through a busy airport, desperately looking for a screen to inform you which gate to rush to, only to find out your flight is delayed?
United Airlines is making it easier than ever for some passengers to view crucial travel details with a new feature giving flyers “real-time access to flight information at a glance.” The airline is condensing real-time flight information including gate, status, seat number, and boarding pass right on your lock screen, it is even complete with a countdown to departure time.
Yesterday, a press release announced United are the first US airline to support Live Activities for iPhone, tapping in to Apple’s feature to provide customers timely updates and easy access to important flight details.
Linda Jojo, Chief Customer Officer for United described the benefits of this:
“We’re seeing soaring demand for travel this summer, and Live Activities puts all the flight information you need right at your fingertips, whether your iPhone is locked or you’re doing something else like checking email, listening to music or texting friends. This new feature is another way United is leveraging technology to improve our customers’ travel journey. It’s going to save passengers a lot of time, and we think they’re going to love it, especially during a busy travel season.”
The feature will provide easy access to the useful information, prioritising passenger convenience and transforming their phone into the ultimate travel companion. The airline has revealed customers will be able to look at their lock screen and:
- Access details like the flight number, on-time status, inbound aircraft status, estimated departure and arrival times, and more in the Live Activity on the Lock Screen or the Dynamic Island when expanded.
- Open their boarding pass directly from the Live Activity to easily scan during security check-in or while boarding their flight.
- See departure and arrival gates, pre- and in-flight countdowns, and baggage carousel information right in the Dynamic Island.
The roll out has already become and will be widely available to customers with an iPhone running iOS 16.1 or later and with the most up to date United app, by the end of May.