United expands features on smart devices

GUAM—United Airlines announced yesterday even more ways for its tech-savvy customers to use some of their favorite smart devices, such as the Google Assistant on their phone or Google Home as well as the Fitbit Ionic smartwatch to help manage their travel. United is the first airline to allow customers to use apps via the Google Assistant and Fitbit Ionic smartwatch for quick and convenient access to information and check in for flights, just in time to provide the perfect gift for travelers during the upcoming holiday season.

“Consumers around the world use smart devices every day to conveniently complete a variety of different tasks,” said Praveen Sharma, vice president of digital products and analytics at United. “Adding a United app to the Google Assistant and Fitbit Ionic allows us to meet our customers on devices they already know and love, while making it easier than ever to check flight status, check in, learn about MileagePlus account details and receive their boarding passes.”

The new United app on the Google Assistant lets customers use smart speakers like Google Home, and eligible Android and iPhone devices to stay up-to-date on their flight. Once customers have linked their MileagePlus account to the Google Assistant, users can say “talk to United” to hear their flight status, check amenities and check in for their upcoming flight. The new app also allows Google Assistant users to check their MileagePlus account balances, hear their last account activity, check in for their United domestic U.S. flights and hear flight information.

Earlier yesterday, Fitbit announced additions to its App Gallery that allows owners of the Ionic smartwatch to choose from more than 60 apps and 100+ clock faces to personalize their watch. United, which is the first airline app coming to Fitbit Ionic, will allow customers to receive flight status information and their boarding pass on the device with no need to pull out their phone. To access the United app on the Ionic smartwatch, customers can connect their MileagePlus account in the United app settings within the Fitbit mobile app, and sync Ionic to update the watch.

In September, United became the first U.S.-based airline to allow customers to offer an Amazon Alexa skill, which allows customers to check in for their trips and receive flight information on Alexa-enabled devices. The airline continues looking for opportunities to offer innovative options to improve the customer experience.

United Airlines and United Express operate approximately 4,500 flights a day to 337 airports across five continents. (United)