Technology is proving useful these days to help find more than just cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, and cheap vacation packages. Given that half of all travelers carry smartphones, airlines are offering apps to take care of many of the jobs agents used to handle.
Airline apps can do everything from allowing passengers to check in, to view flight status updates, and to track baggage.
The new airline apps are designed to make the check in process quicker. Once a user logs in with his frequent flier number or flight confirmation, the app locates the itinerary and enables check in with a few taps.
Most airline apps, with the exception of Southwests, allow users to view and change seat assignments if a better seat becomes available. American, Delta, and United allow users to monitor standby status and save digital boarding passes on smartphones. Delta and United apps track upgrades.
Their apps allow passengers to check in 24 hours prior to departure. Some apps even remind users when it is time to check in.
One of the most valuable features of airline apps is that they offer ways to track flights, with some proactively sending alerts to the phones home screen.
Airline apps come in handy when making connections since as soon as your first flight lands you can look up the gate number and status of your connecting flight while still taxiing to the terminal.
Delta is ahead of its competition in allowing customers to monitor their luggage. Its app provides the ability to track checked bags similarly to how FedEx monitors packages. Its service includes telling passengers which baggage carousel will dispense their luggage.
Airline apps offer airport maps. United is currently the leader in this area offering detailed maps to over 100 airports. This alone makes it worth downloading even if not flying United. www.cheapfares.com