New App Feature Guarantees No Missed Flights

If you’re a self-proclaimed time illusionist who always seems to underestimate how long it takes to board your flight or if you compulsively check your emails (like I do) in fear that your gate changed, there’s a new app feature that will put your mind at ease and keep you updated on your flight status every step of the way to the airport and through security. 

United Airlines now offers Live Activities, an Apple-exclusive feature that delivers real-time notifications to travelers directly on their lock screen, and once in flight the Live Activity feature switches to count-down mode for landing, as well as baggage carousel information.

What updates does it give? 

Not yet available on Android, this feature allows United app users who have checked into their flight to stay updated on their departure gate, boarding countdown, and departure time without the need to open the app. Travelers can also access their boarding pass with a simple swipe from the widget.

For iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max users, flight information also pops up on the Dynamic Island when the phone is unlocked, allowing for updates while scrolling through other apps.

United Airlines is the first airline to utilize this iPhone feature since the iOS 16.1 update late last year, and it adds to the list of new travel tools from Apple that are transforming the travel experience for all of us.