GoKawiil
Tech News
United Airlines said it will update its policies to prevent AI agents from booking flights through its website, third-party travel agencies, and flight aggregators. The airline cited risks like unauthorized purchases, account changes, or misuse of MileagePlus miles, as well as regulatory requirements that only humans can confirm certain safety checks during check-in.
United Airlines has moved to prevent automated AI agents from booking flights on its behalf, citing data-privacy risks. An airline representative said the company does not want to create another middleman between itself and its customers.
United says it will not allow third-party AI assistants to complete flight bookings, citing privacy risks and concerns about complying with federal disclosure rules, such as confirming bags don't contain explosives. Agents can still display United flights to users, but cannot finalize purchases. CEO Scott Kirby said he does not want to introduce another intermediary into the booking process.
United Airlines has unveiled a new airport lounge spanning 54,000 square feet with seating for 800 travelers. The space includes two full-service bars and an outdoor terrace with views of the runway.
United Airlines now offers Starlink satellite Wi-Fi on nearly half of its daily flights, with 635 aircraft equipped and more than 37.7 million passengers served to date. The carrier has launched an online tracker letting passengers check, within 48 hours of departure, whether their specific flight will have the service, accounting for possible last-minute aircraft swaps.
United has released a tracker letting passengers enter their flight number and travel date to see whether their aircraft has Starlink satellite Wi-Fi, including real-time updates if planes are swapped. The airline says 635 of its mainline and United Express planes now carry Starlink, covering nearly half of daily departures, with installations continuing at 20 planes per week toward completion by end of 2027.
American Airlines has expanded its SpaceX Starlink Wi-Fi deal from 500 aircraft to its full mainline fleet of over 1,030 planes, with installation beginning next year. The service uses Starlink's Performance Aero Terminal, offering speeds up to 1Gbps for American's more than 165 million annual passengers.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby described two early jobs, including work as a Texas trucker, that shaped his leadership approach. He said these experiences taught him that giving people your time is one of the most valuable gifts a leader can offer, and that how you make people feel is what they remember most.
United Airlines is running a campaign that grants Delta and American elite frequent flyers matching United status for 90 days. To retain that status through Jan. 31, 2028, travelers must fly United and meet spending thresholds ranging from $1,500 for entry-level tiers to $7,000 for United's top 1K tier.
Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have told Boeing they don't want the latest 737 MAX software installed on incoming jets, after Boeing found a flaw in an automated navigation feature that can misfire when crews abandon a landing and reroute. Neither airline currently has planes flying with the affected software. Boeing notified operators in late August, has launched a formal safety review shared with the FAA, and says it's developing a permanent fix, with an update originally planned for early 2028 that it is now trying to accelerate.
American Airlines, JetBlue, and United have issued travel waivers ahead of a strengthening nor'easter expected to hit the northeastern U.S. coast this weekend. Meteorologists forecast coastal flooding, up to 8 inches of rain, and wind gusts as high as 50 mph in parts of the region between Washington and Boston.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says he deliberately limits his daily schedule, capping meetings at four hours, sleeping eight and a half hours a night, and spending roughly three hours reading. He argues that protecting time for reflection, rather than filling his calendar, is central to how he leads the airline.