United Airlines has rolled out a new app feature aimed at reducing one of the most frustrating parts of air travel: long security lines.
United Airlines Adds TSA Wait Time Tracker In App
United has introduced a new feature in its mobile app that allows passengers to view estimated TSA security wait times at select airports before arriving at the checkpoint.
The tool pulls real-time data from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and displays expected wait times directly within the United app, helping travelers better plan when to arrive at the airport. According to United, the feature is designed to give customers greater visibility into airport conditions and reduce uncertainty during the travel experience.
These days, security lines are one of the biggest variables in the airport journey. Sometimes you breeze through in five minutes. Other times, even with TSA PreCheck, you are stuck in a slow-moving queue that can add significant stress before a flight…hopefully that problem will shortly be resolved by fully funding the Department of Homeland Security.
As Jason Birnbaum, United’s Chief Information Officer, explained:
“We appreciate the work and professionalism of our TSA agents, and while most began receiving back pay earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues and people want to stay informed about expected security wait times at our airports. Our customers rely on our mobile app for all their travel needs, and this new feature lets them know what to expect and better plan their trip.”
Another Helpful Tool For The Best App In Industry
This is a very helpful move for passengers (and inside baseball – it was my colleague Zach Griff who pushed United to add this info at the media event in Los Angeles last week…kudos to United for acting so quickly). If the data is accurate, even within a reasonable margin of error, this gives passengers actionable information and it is the kind of technology that builds trust.
I just flew out from Los Angeles (LAX) to London (LHR) and really had no idea how bad the TSA lines would be. I took a gamble and did give myself much of a cushion, but had I had real-time info about the T7 checkpoint at LAX my heart would not have been racing as fast when I arrived an hour before my flight.
United has, in my view, built the best airline app in the United States and this only makes it better. Features like gate-t0-gate navigation, real-time delay explanations, and proactive rebooking tools have already set it apart from competitors. This TSA wait time tracker fits right into that broader strategy.
Some airline apps are just digital boarding pass holders, but the Untied app is so much more and it continues to improve. Once again, United is making headlines for the right reason.
CONCLUSION
United’s new TSA wait time feature in its app is the kind of practical improvement that makes travel less stressful. If it proves reliable, it will help people better navigate security wait times and reduce stress when it comes to trying to gauge how good or bad security lines will be.
I still prefer the Continental-era United Airlines website, but the mobile app continues to get better and better.
image: United Airlines
It amazing that an airline is able to integrate such a feature into its already industry-leading app in a matter of weeks. United flawlessly moved its entire reservation system from a vendor’s facility NC to their own cutting edge one in IL a few weeks back and now has over 70% of its IT in the cloud heading to 100% shortly. You can already see the dividends in United’s operation’s ability to recover quickly after weather disruptions. UA has spent $b’s building a solid, flexible and reliable IT foundation while paying down debt, improving the product and growing the airline. UA is hitting on all cylinders.
Matt actually I think one of the coolest functions of the app is its integration with connection saver. If you allow real time location sharing they will track your progress to see if you have a chance of making it for a connection.
This is most useful coming from an international flight to a domestic connection in my case. Their estimated connection time is usually minimum of 90 minutes to account for immigration, customs, baggage and TSA.
In my case with global entry coming off the airplane first and no checked luggage and CLEAR I’m usually at the connecting domestic gate in 20-30 minutes.
Seeing my progress they would potentially hold the plane if it was close vs assuming 90 minutes no chance of making it.
To me that’s innovation. Not like there is much privacy left anyway.
House Republicans still Take No Action on Bill to End D.H.S. Shutdown…
Airlines in America may often be behind the curve when it comes to the product itself, but in terms of app technology, I’ve found they are WAY better than, for instance, airlines in Asia. United’s app is particularly great.
As much as I enjoy flying ANA their app/website is a throwback to 1990!
Hey… I see nothing wrong with that… LOL.
Another bravo to UA!
What is going on? Is the TSA funded? I flew out of LGA yesterday and ICE was checking IDs and pushing bags through the machine, but not watching the machine (that’s all I saw TSA agents doing). It took 30 minutes with precheck.
We’re currently in the twilight zone.
I have been very impressed with the UA app and this is a great addition to it. Thanks for sharing!!!
“Yeah, but United’s baggage mishandling… once Delta’s gets their A350-1000’s… United’s Starlink rollout… Delta’s PRASM… yada yada yada…”
– TD