UNITED ADDS FASTER FLIGHT REBOOKING FEATURE

United Airlines has introduced a new feature on its mobile app designed to help passengers find earlier flights more easily when their travel plans are disrupted.

The new service allows passengers who have been moved to a later flight to join standby lists for up to three earlier flights.

Instead of repeatedly checking the app for available seats, United will monitor the selected flights and alert passengers by text when a seat becomes available.

Passengers can then decide whether to take the earlier flight or keep their existing booking. United said customers will not lose their confirmed reservations while waiting for an earlier seat.

The feature is being introduced ahead of the busy United States Labor Day travel period, which runs from September 3 to 8.

United expects more than 3.4 million passengers to travel with the airline during the period, about 300,000 more than the number recorded during the same period last year.

The airline said more than 85 per cent of its customers use its mobile app on the day they travel, making the platform an important tool for managing disruptions.

The new standby service is part of United’s wider push to provide more self-service options through its app. Eligible passengers can already use the platform for automatic rebooking, meal and hotel vouchers and baggage tracking.

United has also added other features, including airport security wait-time information, flight connection directions and updates showing where an aircraft is coming from before a passenger’s flight.

The airline said the latest improvements are aimed at making it easier for passengers to manage unexpected changes without having to wait at airport service desks or contact an agent.