Airlines

United Airlines adds Live Activities features for iPhones

Today, United became the first U.S. airline to enable Live Activities for iPhone, allowing customers instant access to their boarding ticket, gate and seat number, and departure time counter on their Lock Screen or while unlocked in Dynamic Island—all without opening the United app.

Nearly 800,000 United customers check their mobile boarding pass and flight status every day, and this new tool makes it even simpler and quicker for United fliers to get timely updates and locate crucial flight information.

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On the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, Live Activities allows United users to view real-time flight updates, flight data, and notifications straight on the Lock Screen or in the Dynamic Island.

With a quick glance at the iPhone screen, customers can:

Get details like the flight number, on-time status, inbound aircraft status, estimated departure and arrival times, and more in the Live Activity on the Lock Screen or the Dynamic Island when expanded
Open their boarding pass directly from the Live Activity to easily scan during security check-in or while boarding their flight
See departure and arrival gates, pre- and in-flight countdowns, and baggage carousel information right in the Dynamic Island

Support for Live Activities has started to roll out to United travelers and will be widely available by the end of May. To experience the new features, customers should verify that their iPhone is running iOS 16.1 or later and their United app is up to date.

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United’s mobile app is praised for its accessibility features for the visually impaired, customization options, and enhanced navigation, and it receives up to three million daily interactions from users. In recent years, the airline has continually released capabilities for its apps that lead the market.

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Airlines

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.