United Airways deserves credit score for having by far the very best customer-facing tech of any US airline, particularly in terms of the cell app. It’s materially higher than Delta’s, and in a totally totally different league than American’s. Alongside these strains, United is now rolling out one more superior app function, which passengers will little doubt recognize.
United’s new seat notification function
Zach Griff stories on how United is rolling out a brand new seat alert function. That is debuting for choose clients as of at this time (Friday, March 22, 2024), however needs to be accessible for all passengers within the coming months.
I believe we’ve all been in a scenario the place we e book a flight, however no good seats can be found (or perhaps simply our most popular seats aren’t accessible). With United’s new seat notification function, you could be alerted if a greater seat opens up:
- When reserving or managing a flight within the cell app and viewing the seat map, you’ll be capable to request to be notified if your required seat opens up
- For instance, you can be notified if an aisle or window seat opens up, or if a bulkhead or exit row seat opens up
- In case your specified seat turns into accessible, you’ll get a push notification by way of the United app, and also you’ll be prompted to make the change
That is nice new tech from United!
Presently there are some paid providers like ExpertFlyer that allow you to set seat alerts, however an airline letting you set a free alert for seats is a primary, so far as I do know. That is such a buyer pleasant transfer, and it’s little doubt a win-win.
I think about all of this funding in app tech is meant to extend downloads of the United cell app, and in flip, airways can higher market to clients who’ve their app. It’s no totally different than what United is making an attempt to do with MileagePlus — by not having miles expire, and by now letting members pool miles, the aim is to get individuals extra engaged in this system.
Loyalty applications have lengthy been profitable for airways, however the “huge three” US carriers are hoping for vital progress in that space within the coming years. They’ve largely in all probability maxed out their potential amongst frequent flyers, so at this level the aim is to have interaction the much less frequent traveler within the applications, and hopefully get them onto the “hamster wheel.”
Backside line
United Airways’ cell app is introducing a brand new seat notification function, whereby you could be alerted in case your most popular seat turns into accessible, both on the time of reserving or whereas managing your reservation. This can be a first of its sort function from an airline, so I’m delighted to see this.
Now, I suppose a few of us savvy frequent flyers might not love this, if we in any other case used paid providers to seek out these sorts of seats, since there’ll now be extra competitors for them. However nonetheless, on stability that is very constructive.
What do you make of United’s new seat notification function?
