CHICAGO, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The recently
redesigned United Airlines mobile app was voted the Best Travel App
in the 25th annual Webby Awards. United's app was one of
five nominees in the Travel App and Software category, and was
named the "People's Voice" winner. United debuted its redesigned
app in October of last year, featuring enhanced accessibility for
visually impaired customers, more intuitive navigation and faster
processing. United has continued to enhance the app to make it an
all-in-one solution for customers to seamlessly navigate their
travel experience. In January, United introduced the "Travel-Ready
Center" to its mobile app, which allows customers to upload and
validate test results, review local entry requirements, find and
schedule appointments with testing providers, and store vaccination
records.
"We're honored that our customers voted for United to win this
award, and we plan to continue introducing new features and
enhancements to ensure we are offering the most innovative and
inclusive airline app in the industry," said Linda Jojo, executive vice president for
technology and chief digital officer, United. "Over the last year,
it has been a top priority for us to make travel easier and more
accessible for all, and United's mobile app gives customers
everything they need for their travels right in the palm of their
hand."
Already the top downloaded airline app for Apple and Android
phones, with up to 2.5 million users interacting with the app
daily, the United app was redesigned last year to help make travel
easier for people with visual disabilities. Some of the enhanced
features include increased color contrast, more space between
graphics and reordering how information is displayed and announced
to better integrate with the screen reader technologies built into
most handheld devices like VoiceOver and
TalkBack that read aloud on-screen messages and
notifications. By restructuring the way the information is
organized, screen readers are better able to convert text to audio
in the proper, logical sequence, allowing customers to better
understand and navigate the app.
In addition to the accessibility enhancements, United also
introduced a refreshed account experience for MileagePlus® members
to easily check balances, track Premier® progress, explore
MileagePlus benefits, access past activity and more. The airline
also updated its design and navigation to make the app more
intuitive and help customers find everything they may need for
their travels. All of these changes are underpinned by a new
back-end platform, which ultimately makes the app faster and more
responsive.
United has continued to add industry-leading features to its app
in the months since the redesign, including:
- Travel-Ready Center: A digital solution that allows customers
to view COVID-19 entry requirements, find, schedule and receive
uploaded test results from local providers and upload any required
testing and vaccination records for domestic and international
travel, all in one place. United is the first and only U.S. airline
to integrate all these features into its mobile app and
website.
- Agent on Demand: Customers at select airports can receive
virtual, on demand customer service, giving people an easy,
contact-free option to get real-time information and support.
Customers can access "Agent on Demand" on the United app to call,
text or video chat live with an agent and get answers on everything
from seat assignments to boarding times.
- United Map Search: An interactive map feature powered by Google
Flight Search Enterprise Technology, that lets customers easily
compare and shop for flights, based on departure city, budget and
location type, including popular national park, skiing and cultural
destinations. This new digital tool available on the United app and
website displays fares in a map view, allowing customers to
simultaneously compare travel to a variety of destinations in a
single search.
- Contactless Payment: On flights offering for-purchase food and
beverage options, United customers can now use United's new
contactless payment system that allows them to store their payment
information in a digital wallet on the United app and on United.com
prior to departure. Rather than handing the flight attendant a
credit card, the flight attendant will ask for the customer's name
and seat to confirm the card on file. Once confirmed, customers
will receive their products and the card on file will be charged
accordingly.
The Webby Awards is the leading international awards
organization honoring excellence on the Internet, and United's app
was the only major U.S. carrier app nominated for a Webby award
this year. In 2019, United's mobile app was awarded a People's
Voice Webby Award in the Business and Finance category.
Committed to Ensuring a Safer Journey
United is committed to putting health and safety at the
forefront of every customer's journey, with the goal of delivering
an industry-leading standard of cleanliness through its
United CleanPlus℠ program. United has teamed up with
Clorox and Cleveland Clinic to redefine cleaning and health safety
procedures from check-in to landing and has implemented more than a
dozen new policies, protocols and innovations designed with the
safety of customers and employees in mind.
About United
United's shared purpose is "Connecting People. Uniting the
World." For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on
Twitter and Instagram or connect on Facebook. The common stock of
UAL is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL".
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SOURCE United Airlines