United Airlines will expand its already-popular ConnectionSaver to more hubs starting this week.
In June, I wrote about United’s ConnectionSaver tool that rolled out to Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles. Starting this week, United will roll out the tool to remaining hubs.
> Read More: United ConnectionSaver Tool Has Serious Potential
United explains the multi-faceted nature of its ConnectionSaver technology:
ConnectionSaver is powered by new technology that automatically identifies departing flights that can be held for connecting customers, while ensuring those who have already boarded the aircraft arrive at their destination on time. ConnectionSaver also sends personalized text messages to every connecting customer (who has opted in to receive notifications) with clear directions to the gate for their connecting flight and information about how long the walk will take.
United’s ConnectionSaver technology automatically scans flights for customers who are making tight connections to determine if the connecting flight can be held without inconveniencing other customers. The ConnectionSaver tool takes into account factors such as the time it will take for late connecting customers to travel gate-to-gate as well as the impact the hold may have on other flights and customers.
Here’s the rollout schedule for ConnectionSaver:
- Houston (IAH) – July 23, 2019
- Newark (EWR) – July 30, 2019
- San Francisco (SFO) – August 6, 2019
- Washington (IAD) – August 13, 2019
Not Just For Customers
In a memo to employees obtained by Live and Let’s Fly, United explains the technology is not only for customers, but a powerful tool for gate agents and other airport and flight personnel:
It’s designed to take the guesswork out of deciding whether to hold a flight by a few minutes for connecting customers while taking advantage of planned, early-arriving flights. Our goal is to make the most caring decisions for our customers and employees. The automated system helps our airport teams look at a potential delay with factors from across the board.
It automatically considers arrival times, crew legality, downline delays, airport curfews, how long it takes for customers to travel from gate to gate, bag transfers and more before determining whether to hold and for how long.
In addition, ConnectionSaver is sophisticated enough to tell us the expected ripple effects of delaying any one of our flights at any given location. It’s also highly configurable to meet the changing needs of our airline and designed to integrate with our existing technology systems.
CONCLUSION
This sort of technology really has the potential to take out the risk in holding flights, which has traditionally meant that flights would not be held in all but the rarest of circumstances. I am glad to see it expand to additional United hubs.
Have you experienced United ConnectionSaver during your travels?
This makes a lot of sense. A gate agent rarely knows what a 3-10 minute delay means to a given aircraft or crew, so they’re duty bound to error on the side of caution and avoid delays. If an AI can decide that a plane can be held safely without causing ripples across the schedule, that’s a good thing.
So…you wouldn’t just plan on arriving at the -scheduled- arrival time?
So…you wouldn’t just plan on arriving at the -scheduled- arrival time?
I hope it also sends a notification to the folks on the plane regarding the reason for the delay and when they will push back. I understand the need for this, but I hate it when I’m expected to get somewhere early and then it becomes late.
i wouldint fly with them again !!!!
Even if i got it for free staff are old and grumpy. they lost our bags arrived 2 days later ! 3 out of 4 flights were delayed got to our detination 6hrs late. but they offered us a $100 dollar travel voucher
I’ve been a loyal United (and formerly Continental) customer for over 30 years and the last 3 or 4 flights were awful. Flights cancelled, horrible rebooking process, crazy lottery bidding required to re-book a ticketed flight that they cancelled. This last one they said was due to weather, but not a cloud in the sky and they had cancelled it the previous 3 days running, hmmmm. I have my husband booked on a flight in Sept, but I think after that, I will be looking for a new airline. I don’t really care that they are bending over backwards for people who can’t get to the airport on time, I just want them to fly the flights they actually sold tickets for! United has embraced too much tech and not enough actual service.