Cool United technology helps establish close connections

Switching from one United Airlines flight to another should be easier this summer thanks to a new tool that badyzes flights for customers who establish close connections.

ConnectionSaver uses a new technology that automatically identifies departing flights that can be held by pbadengers on a close connection, but also ensures that the plane arrives at its destination at the scheduled time.

It sends personalized text messages to connecting customers who want to receive notifications with clear instructions at the door for their connecting flight and an indication of how long it will take them to get there.

According to United, the technology determines whether a connecting flight can be arranged without disturbing other customers, taking into account factors such as the transfer time between the doors and the impact that holding a flight will have on other pbadengers.

The result, according to United's customer manager, Toby Enqvist, is that pbadengers with close connections make their flights.

READ: United eco-flight presents the reactions of airlines to climate change.

"With the resumption of summer travel, no less than 150,000 customers make daily connections to United flights. Our goal is to provide our employees and these customers with the latest information to make the connection as relaxed as possible, "says Enqvist.

The airline launched the tool on all flights to its Denver hub in February and then expanded it to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Over the past four months, the tool has helped more than 14,400 customers who would otherwise have missed out on their flights.

Flights were blocked for an average of six minutes to allow them to do so.

The plan is to extend ConnectionSaver to the airline's other hubs by the fall, and then to all other airports served by United.

"ConnectionSaver only works if it allows us to support as many customers as possible – without hindering others – and that's exactly what this technology has shown it can do," Enqvist said.

In January, the US carrier also released updates to its application designed to make the flight less stressful.

The update included continuous updates for each step of a trip, a "My Trips" tab and an inbox with important push notifications and screen updates. Starting 48 hours before the flight.