United Now Offering Radar Maps, Using AI To Update Passengers During Weather Delays

Updated: July 3, 2024, 1:03pm CDT

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New Information for United Passengers During Weather Delays
Final Thoughts

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Weather delays are the worst. You have no idea if or when your flight will take off, and getting information is critical, but often difficult.

Enter United Airlines’ newest attempt to keep you updated about weather delays.

Previously, airline employees would write and send text messages to provide live updates about your flight. Now, that will be handled by artificial intelligence (AI). Plus, you’ll also receive weather maps to help you understand what’s affecting your flight and when things might clear up.

Here’s a look at United’s new offering and what you can expect if weather affects your flight.

New Information for United Passengers During Weather Delays

Rather than continuing to allocate employee time to write text messages to you about delays, gate changes, and aircraft swaps, United Airlines will start sending you messages generated by AI. These will include real-time weather radar maps, which can help you understand why your flight is delayed — this is especially helpful if you look outside and see that it’s sunny where you are.

The goal is to help travelers understand the reason for the delay, such as the weather at their destination or along the route to their destination. This information can also help passengers track improvements and receive information more quickly, all while taking up less time from United’s employees.

UnitedAirlines Real TimeRadarMaps — United Airlines will send you live weather radar maps during delays. Image Credit: United

The timing of this new offering couldn’t be better, as airlines are expecting a busy summer travel period.

Here’s how this new feature works: Customer service teams working alongside the flight operations team will use AI to draft messages to customers with delayed flights, which will be sent sent via text message or email.

The messages will include links to live weather radar maps showing what’s affecting your flight’s path. It may show you how the weather in another part of the country is affecting your flight. For example, it could show you how a given flight is delayed leaving Houston, causing the plane to arrive late in Cleveland, where you’re currently waiting.

Access to the weather maps isn’t restricted to those with tickets on delayed flights. This feature will be available in the United mobile app’s (iOS, Android) flight status updates section, and weather maps will be available in the gate area for any flights with weather-related delays.

Bottom Line:

It’s not always clear why a given flight is delayed, but giving customers access to information can help them understand the delays, when the situation might improve, and hopefully free up time for employees to handle other tasks.

Final Thoughts

United is expecting 7% more travelers this year (compared to last year) as we head into the Fourth of July holiday. With an expected 5 million passengers flying around this period, there are sure to be flight delays for at least some travelers. If your flight is delayed due to weather, United may send you weather maps and AI-generated content to keep you informed about what’s happening.