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Home » United Airlines » Cool: United Airlines Will Let You “Waitlist” Preferred Seat Onboard
NewsUnited Airlines

Cool: United Airlines Will Let You “Waitlist” Preferred Seat Onboard

Matthew Klint Posted onMarch 22, 2024March 22, 2024 5 Comments

a person holding a cell phone

United Airlines is rolling out a new app feature that will not just notify you if a preferred seat becomes available onboard, but automatically move you. This marks another great United app innovation. Let’s explore the details.

United App Will Allow You To Choose Preferred Seat Type, Then Automatically Assign It If it Opens

In 2020, United rolled out a feature on its mobile app that would send you a push notification if a preferred seat opened. I called this “musical chairs” because if that alert went out to multiple people, it became a race to see who could assign the open seat first.


> Read More: Musical Chairs On United Airlines


First noted by Zach Griff, United is gradually releasing the next generation of this technology that not only will alert you when a preferred seat opens, but automatically assign it. The result is the ability to “waitlist” your preferred seat type.

The new technology goes live today, March 22, 2024, with select users (it is not clear who United is targetting in this early release) and in the weeks ahead will be available to all passengers.

Here’s how it works:

  • When booking or managing your United reservation, you can choose your preferred seat type on the United app
  • The app will then monitor for that seat type (aisle, window, exit row, bulkhead) and should it open, automatically move you there
  • United will monitor for your preferred seats until 12 hours prior to departure

United App Continues To Improve

The United app has been an industry leader for years and this latest customer-friendly improvement makes it even better.

I ran into a delay this week (lol, what a delay…more details to come) and I loved that the app makes it so easy to rebook and avoid having to wait in line or call up to speak with an agent. I also appreciate how easy it is to book, change, and upgrade travel…it really has changed the way I manage my travel.

CONCLUSION

The new seat preference feature on the United app expands upon the previous alert to now alert and assign your preferred seat onboard. Make sure you have downloaded the latest version of the United app and keep an eye out for this feature when booking or managing a flight in the weeks ahead as it rolls out to all users. Hopefully, the next iteration of this technology will allow you to set preferences to track your preferred seat number, not just seat type.


image: United Airlines

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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5 Comments

  1. Stuart Reply
    March 22, 2024 at 1:27 pm

    This is a fantastic update. Love it.

  2. Aaron Reply
    March 22, 2024 at 3:16 pm

    “should it open, automatically move you there”

    What if there are (potential) fees for the new seat? Will it automatically charge you for the new seat as well?

  3. Timothy Reply
    March 22, 2024 at 4:08 pm

    At first I thought this for a specific seat number (I have favorite seats lol). This is pretty cool nonetheless.

  4. Right-This-Way Reply
    March 22, 2024 at 7:34 pm

    As if things are not bad enough, non-rev standbys are doomed to rear middle seats.

    How does this work when 5-10 people are all on this waitlist for a preferred seat? Does it default to the highest mileage premier members in the order of status? Then what, musical chairs as the algorithm juggles the rest all around the cabin? Another enhancement that only the highest level or highest “bidder” benefits from.

    • proschwit Reply
      March 23, 2024 at 6:14 am

      You’re a non-rev be happy you got a seat on the plane and keep it moving. As a paying customer if a better seat becomes available the meets my preferences I’d want to know about it. I appreciate the fact the airline says let’s offer this seat first to our paying customers before non-revs.
      If you want a better seat then by a confirmed ticket.

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