United Airlines has set itself apart from its rivals through the exceptional quality of its customer-oriented technology, especially its mobile application. Recently, the airline rolled out a number of upgrades to the app, with one option particularly standing out as remarkable.
New Boarding Progress Feature in United Airlines’ App
The United app was already well-liked for showing boarding progress for flights, but the newest update has enhanced this feature further. The airline has added a “virtual gate” option for travelers, offering real-time updates on boarding groups along with a progress bar showing the number of passengers who have boarded.
A user on Threads posted a screenshot highlighting this feature. The app now reveals the current status at the departure gate, detailing which groups are boarding, the user’s boarding group, the boarding completion time, the total passengers booked on the flight, and how many have already boarded.
United Airlines’ Technology is Exceptional
United’s app has achieved a stage where it’s incorporating features that, while not absolutely necessary, provide a great degree of transparency and excitement. When I first encountered this feature, I shared it with Ford, who found it intriguing but questioned its practical utility. Although it might not have notable practical implications, it’s an intriguing addition for aviation fans. Potential applications include:
- Understanding how full a flight is and estimating the chances of having an empty seat beside you.
- Even though it might not alter behaviors at the gate, as the majority of passengers prefer to board early to claim overhead bin space, it gives an impression of how boarding is advancing.
United is continuously enhancing its domestic fleet with new interiors and expanded overhead bins. However, I remember a previous experience on a United Boeing 737-900 flight where the boarding process was chaotic, and the gate agent announced limited overhead bin availability. In such circumstances, the boarding progress bar could lead to anxiety.
Conclusion
The United mobile app now includes a “virtual gate” feature that supplies comprehensive information regarding boarding progress. While it may not be crucial, it is certainly captivating. What do you think about these new features in the United app?