Millions of Americans hit the roads and skies during Thanksgiving, making it a popular time to travel. As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, AAA predicts that over 55 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home [link]. This is a 2.3% increase over the previous year and the third-highest forecast since 2000. With 49.1 million travelers, a 1.7% increase from 2022, road trips remain the preferred mode. Surprisingly, despite global tensions affecting oil markets, gas prices are expected to be lower this Thanksgiving than they were last year.
Wednesday, November 22, from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, is predicted to be the busiest day to drive overall, with travel times 11.44% longer than usual, as travel volumes peak.
United’s Tech Advancements:
United Airlines announced on November 14th at 8 AM that they are gearing up for an exceptional Thanksgiving travel season, expecting over 5.9 million passengers from November 17-29, 2023. In an effort to enhance the travel experience during this record-setting period, United has introduced a suite of cutting-edge tech innovations [link]. Here are United’s innovations for smoother travel:
Pre-Flight Preparation:
- Free Family Seating: With United’s dynamic seat map, children under 12 can travel for free with an adult when they are booked together. Since its launch, more than 200,000 families have taken advantage of this feature.
- Bags Checked In No Time: Customers using the United app to check in can skip the line and drop their checked-in bags at specific spots in the airport lobby or curbside thanks to the “bag drop shortcut.” Customers can finish this process in about a minute on average.
- Food and Beverages Ordered in Advance: In order to guarantee a smooth and enjoyable in-flight experience, travelers can now pre-order meals and snacks up to 24 hours before departure. Five days prior to departure, notifications are sent out, and choices can be made on united.com or the United mobile app.
Time-Saving Tools for Day-Of Travel
Airport navigation: To make traveling through airports more efficient, United’s Terminal Guide provides individualized instructions for the day.
Intelligent, Tailored Flight Alerts: United sets the standard in this regard by enabling Live Activities for iPhone users, giving them instant access to gate and seat numbers, boarding passes, and a countdown clock without ever having to open the app. Real-time flight information on lock screens is also advantageous for Android users.
Connectivity without stress: The cutting-edge ConnectionSaver technology looks for travelers who have close connections on flights and holds those passengers to guarantee a smooth transition. Through ConnectionSaver this year, more than 600,000 customers have benefited.
Effective Boarding Procedure: United has implemented the “window-middle-aisle” (WILMA) boarding system, which can cut the boarding time in half for each departure.pexe
Support for Customer Service:
Automatic Support During Disruptions: In the event of flight delays or cancellations, the United mobile app automatically offers customized rebooking options, baggage tracking details, and meal and hotel vouchers.
On-Demand Customer Support: By enabling users to communicate with a customer support agent through the United app, text, or video chat, “Agent on Demand” eliminates the need for lengthy lineups at airports.
Accessible Journeys for All:
Digital platforms that are accessible: VoiceOver and TalkBack, two screen reader technologies, are easily integrated with the redesigned United mobile app, which has been made more user-friendly for people with vision impairments.
Enhancements to Onboard Accessibility: All-new seatback entertainment screens come equipped with inclusive features like text-to-speech controls, magnification, closed captioning, and more. United has implemented Braille in aircraft interiors along with tactile signage to help individuals who are blind or visually impaired navigate the cabin on their own. Consumers with mobility devices can easily add specifications and instructions through the United app or united.com, and check them out for free.
Things to Think About When Traveling for Thanksgiving:
To improve and streamline the travel experience, United Airlines has unveiled a number of technological innovations. With air travel rising 6.6%, to its highest level since 2005, the airline’s dedication to innovation is in line with the growing demand for a variety of modes of transportation.Travelers can look forward to a positive Thanksgiving, thanks to a combination of factors including increased travel volume, United’s proactive tech upgrades, and the upward trend in gas prices. However, there are few things to to consider when traveling for thanksgiving:
Crowded Travel: During the Thanksgiving rush, expect crowded conditions, longer wait times, and possibly stress as more people take to the roads and skies.
Tech Glitches: Relying too much on technology increases the possibility of malfunctions or glitches, which could interfere with automated boarding and online check-in services.
App Dependency: Some passengers may find it difficult to fully utilize United’s innovations due to its app-focused strategy, especially if they are not very tech-savvy.
Accessibility: Despite the efforts undertaken to improve accessibility, it may still be difficult to guarantee a trouble-free journey for every passenger, particularly in the event of disruptions.
Operational Complications: Managing an unprecedented number of passengers and possible delays is one of the operational difficulties that come with organizing a record-breaking Thanksgiving season.
New to earning miles and points? Read my tips on how to collect them effortlessly [link]. I’ve got a beginner’s guide to credit card points and miles to help you start. If your credit card is declined or pending, don’t stress—it’s not over. Check this [link] for basics on the credit card application process and what to do with a reconsideration line. Explore my list of sweet spots to make the most of your miles and points. Enjoy your points and miles journey!
