Carrier claims beta test had 98% success rate

United Airlines announced it has launched new personalized mobile app features that make catching connecting flights easier.

Customers with connecting flights at United’s US hub airports can now access a special section of the app that includes a countdown to connecting flights, customized turn-by-turn directions to their connecting gate with estimated walk times, real-time flight status updates, tips for longer layovers and notifications if United’s ConnectionSaver technology has been activated to hold the plane for them.

These features, according to the announcement, are exclusive to the United mobile app and expand on the airline’s ConnectionSaver technology — an AI-powered tool that the airline says has saved more than 3.3 million customer connections since launching in 2019.

ConnectionSaver automatically identifies departing flights that can be held for connecting customers — without delaying the on-time arrival of the customers who have already boarded. Now, customers have full visibility into their connecting flights right on their phone screens.

United tested these app features during a beta test period this spring, and during that time, more than 350,000 customers used the new features, achieving a 98% success rate making their connection, according to the announcement.

David Kinzelman, chief customer officer, said, “We know that giving people more information, in a transparent and easy-to-understand way, can help de-stress the connecting flight experience.”