Another First for United: Mobile App Lets Customers Join Standby for Earlier Flights and Automatically Finds Open Seats During Disruptions

Customers keep their confirmed itinerary and select up to three earlier flights to stand by for

United automatically monitors those flights and sends a text when a seat becomes available

New feature rolls out in time to help the more than 3.4 million United customers expected to fly over the Labor Day holiday

CHICAGO, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- United today announced an industry-first mobile app feature that gives customers more flexibility and options when travel plans are disrupted.

Now, customers who are rebooked to a later flight after a travel disruption can stand by for up to three earlier flights*. Instead of repeatedly checking the app to see if seats open up on earlier flights, United automatically monitors availability behind the scenes and sends a text notification when a seat becomes available.

This new feature is rolling out just in time for the busy Labor Day travel weekend; more than 3.4 million people are expected to fly United between September 3-8 – about 300,000 more than last year. More than 85% of United customers use the airline's award-winning mobile app on the day they travel, making digital tools an increasingly important part of how customers manage disruptions and navigate their journey.

Customers can use the new feature in three simple steps:

1. Add yourself to the standby list on up to three earlier flights.
2. Sit back while United automatically monitors those flights for available seats.
3. Get a text when a seat becomes available and choose whether to switch to the earlier flight – while keeping your existing confirmed reservation until you decide.

"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. "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.

Recent mobile app updates that help customers prepare for travel, navigate changes and stay informed include:  

• A more seamless airport experience: Customers can now 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 right in the United app.
• Real-time inbound aircraft status updates: United is expanding its "Where is my plane coming from?" app feature by showing customers their inbound aircraft directly on the flight status page, providing even more insight into where their plane is before departure.
• TSA wait times tracker: As the first major U.S. airline to offer the feature, United introduced Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security wait time estimates^† at U.S. hub airports, giving customers greater visibility into airport security lines before heading to the airport.
• Personalized connection support: United launched new, personalized app features that make catching connecting flights easier, including personalized, 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.
• Bag tracking enhancements: United 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, and download the United mobile app here. Visual assets can be found here.

*Available for eligible earlier United flights to the same destination.

^†Estimated security wait times are based on data available to United and may not reflect actual wait times, which may vary from the estimates.

About United

At United, Good Leads The Way. With U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers, and is now the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL".

SOURCE United Airlines