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USA. United Airlines has launched interactive airport maps on its mobile App with the aim of helping passengers to quickly locate retail and dining outlets as well as other amenities.
The updated United App is designed to guide customers to their desired destinations within an airport terminal and is able to estimate walking times.
For customers who have a boarding pass stored in the App, the map will automatically default to start navigation at that specific gate location. Alternatively, users can place a pin at their current location to indicate where they are in the airport.
The App currently features United’s Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington hubs, with more airports expected to be added soon.
Many of the airport maps also include navigation to rental car facilities and on-site airport hotels.
United is also trialling additional map functionality for customers using the App at Newark Airport Terminal C. Through the use of Bluetooth low-energy beacons, this map uses ‘indoor location’ technology to establish the user’s position within the airport to navigate toward various destinations – eliminating the need for the user to pin their location.
United said it would expand the feature to other airports based on customer feedback.
“Travellers are accustomed to using maps and navigation Apps throughout their daily lives – and that shouldn’t end when they walk into the airport,” said United Vice President of eCommerce and Merchandising Scott Wilson. “These new features of our App will make travel easier and more personal for our customers.”
The interactive maps were created by San Francisco-based tech start-up LocusLabs, and the updated App also features new self-booking functions that offer additional options for re-booking in the event of a flight delay or cancellation.
The updates for the App – which has been downloaded more than 20 million times since its launch in November 2013 – are now available for iOS devices. They will be offered soon on Android devices, according to United.
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The App is designed to guide passengers to a specific location within the airport terminal | |
