United Airlines now lets travelers use Amazon Alexa to check in and retrieve flight information. This marks the first time a U.S. carrier has integrated the Alexa voice assistant for those features.
The Alexa skill for United works with devices such as the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot. After linking a MileagePlus account, travelers can ask Alexa to check them in for eligible domestic flights or to provide specific flight details.
Typical questions travelers can ask mirror searches they might perform on an airline website or app: flight status, departure and arrival times, gate information, and whether a particular flight includes certain amenities. The skill is designed to provide quick access to essential travel details without opening a phone or computer.
To enable check-in through Alexa, passengers must connect the skill to their MileagePlus account. Once linked, Alexa can complete the check-in process for qualifying domestic itineraries, streamlining the preflight routine.
“Every day we connect nearly 400,000 customers to business meetings, loved ones and new adventures. Introducing the new skill to check in and receive flight information with Alexa is an innovation that gives our customers extra time to prep for a business meeting, play with their children or relax as they get ready for their upcoming flight,” said Praveen Sharma, vice president of digital products and analytics at United Airlines.
The move reflects a broader trend of airlines adopting voice-driven tools and smart-home integrations to improve the customer experience. By offering voice access to routine tasks like check-in and flight lookups, United aims to reduce friction and save passengers time during the busy travel day.
Passengers interested in using the feature should enable the United skill in the Alexa app and follow the steps to link their MileagePlus account. Once set up, the skill can answer common travel queries and perform check-ins for eligible flights, helping travelers manage their trips more efficiently.