United Announces New Mobile App Feature

September 2, 2026

United launches new app feature

United has announced an industry-first mobile app feature that provides customers with more flexibility and options when travel plans are disrupted.

The new feature allows customers who are rebooked to a later flight after a travel disruption to stand by for up to three earlier flights and be notified by the app when a seat becomes available. Instead of repeatedly checking the app to see if seats open up on earlier flights, customers can keep their confirmed itinerary while United automatically monitors availability on alternative flights behind the scenes.

The new feature will roll out just ahead of the busy Labor Day travel weekend, when more than 3.4 million people are expected to fly United between September 3-8 – which is around 300,000 more travelers than last year. More than 85 percent of United customers use the airline’s mobile app on the day they travel, making digital tools an increasingly important part of how customers manage disruptions and navigate their journey.

“This feature reflects our commitment to making travel more seamless and less stressful for our customers,” said Jennifer Schwierzke, Vice President of Customer Operations, Strategy & Execution at United, in a press release statement. “During disruptions, customers can keep their confirmed itinerary and stand by for three additional flights. We work behind the scenes to monitor availability and alert customers as soon as a seat becomes available.”

The feature expands United’s portfolio of self-service recovery tools, which allow customers to automatically rebook flights, receive meal and hotel vouchers when eligible and track checked bags during disruptions — all without having to wait in line to speak to an agent.

Other recent mobile app updates from United include allowing customers to use Digital ID in Apple Wallet, which offers a secure and private way for users to add and use an ID in Apple Wallet using information from their U.S. passport, to make it easier to enroll in TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID directly within the United app.

United has also expanded its “Where is my plane coming from?” app feature by showing customers their inbound aircraft directly on the flight status page, providing further insight into where their plane is before departure. The airline has also introduced a TSA wait times tracker, offering security wait time estimates at U.S. hub airports to provide customers with information on airport security lines before heading to the airport.

Additional features include personalized connection support to make catching connecting flights easier, including turn-by-turn directions to connecting gates with estimated walk times, real-time flight status updates, tips for longer layovers and notifications powered by United’s ConnectionSaver technology if the airline is able to hold a departing flight for those with an extra-tight connection.

United has also integrated Apple’s Share Item Location, so customers everywhere who travel with an AirTag or Find My network accessory can seamlessly share the accessory location with United’s customer service team to help locate their luggage in the event that it is misplaced or mishandled.

For more information, visit united.com.