The United Airlines app has a new feature that could be a game-changer for delayed travelers

• United Airlines rolled a redesigned version of its smartphone app in January.
• The new app is designed to cater to frequent flyers and those who fly once or twice a year.
• One of the new features of the app provides detailed delay information to the traveler to allay anxiety.

In January, United Airlines rolled out a redesigned version of its smartphone app. The new app is designed to cater not only to the frequent flier but also to those who fly with United once a year, Linda Jojo, the airline's chief digital officer told Business Insider in a recent interview.

Such consideration is crucial considering roughly 85% of the airline's customers fly with United once or less a year.

According to Jojo, the new app is keenly focused on transparency. More specifically, it's to help alleviate stress and anxiety by providing travelers with useful information without it becoming overwhelming.

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One specific feature of the app is particularly groundbreaking - the flight delay notification. From the outside, it doesn't seem to be particularly interesting. But seeing it in action is pretty impressive.

Almost all major airline apps will tell you if there's been a flight delay or if your gate has changed. But, United's app takes things one step further.

It explains to travelers why there's a delay and if there's anything that's being done to rectify the situation. For example, if your flight is delayed, United's app will not only tell you how much it will affect the arrival time at your destination, it'll also tell you where your plane is and why it's being held up.

This notification feature, which had been available last year at a few United Airlines hubs around the US, is now available across the United's network.

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